Salivary fluoride concentration and tooth caries
Mickenautsch S*, Yengopal V*, Bonecker M**, Oliveira LB***
*Division of Public Oral Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
**Department of Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil
***São Leopoldo Mandic Research Center, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
Abstract
In communities with low salivary fluoride concentration a significantly higher caries experience has been observed
This abstract is prepared and maintained by Midentistry, currently published in The MI Compendium, 3rd edition, Copyright © 2009 Midentistry. The full data of this review is available in http://www.midentistry.com/secure-folder/content/3/mic12E3.asp (ISBN: 0-620-34080-0)
This record should be cited as: Mickenautsch S, Yengopal V, Bonecker M, Oliveira LB. Salivary fluoride concentration and tooth caries. Minim Interv Comp Database Syst Rev 2008; 1: RV02920080105.
This version first published online: March 30, 2008
Last revised: March 30, 2008
Objectives
To assess whether salivary fluoride concentration is influencing caries incidence.
Search strategy
The trials were identified from a search of the PubMed database on: January 5, 2008 using the terms: "Salivary fluoride AND ("Dental Caries"[Mesh] OR "Dental Caries Susceptibility"[Mesh] OR "Root Caries"[Mesh] OR "Tooth Demineralization"[Mesh]) and a search of the LILACS database on: March 23, 2008 using the terms: "flúor AND saliva AND cárie dentária".
Inclusion criteria
All 2-arm in-vivo or in-situ randomized/quasi-randomized control trials; COHORT studies; case control trials (CCT) on human tissue with relevance to review question including computable data; published in English or Portuguese.
Data collection and analysis
The systematic literature search identified 2 articles in compliance with the broad inclusion criteria. Of these, 1 articles was rejected due to insufficient internal validity. Meta-analysis was not conducted.
Main results
In the accepted trial a significantly higher caries experience was observed in communities with low salivary fluoride concentration. However, no causal relationship between both parameters could be found. The results of both accepted and rejected trial were consistent with each other. Further well-designed trials are needed.
Authors' conclusions
A significantly higher caries experience was observed in communities with low salivary fluoride concentration. Further well-designed trials are needed.
