Change of salivary fluoride level with intake of fluoride releasing lozenges: A pilot study.

Abstract

Long-term, low-level fluoride concentrations in saliva are highly effective in caries prevention and remineralization. The aim of the present two-phased study was to test whether fluoride-releasing lozenges compared to placebo significantly raise salivary fluoride levels above baseline achieved by 1100ppm fluoride toothpaste in a double-blind, crossover pilot study. In phase 1, a four-arm crossover basic study, four participants used one dissolvable lozenge with .25, 0.5, 1 or 1.5mg fluoride for 1hour. In phase 2, the three-arm crossover main study, 11 participants used three lozenges per day for 1hour for 1week, establishing long-term salivary fluoride levels dissolving 0 (control), 0.5 and 1.5mg fluoride lozenges. Saliva was collected at baseline; during lozenge use; 5, 15, 30, and 60minutes later; and early the next morning. Salivary fluoride levels were determined by laboratory diffusion analysis. In phase 1, 5minutes after using one lozenge, salivary fluoride levels were above baseline (0.03ppm), reaching 0.13±0.19ppm for the 0.25mg and 0.73±0.75ppm for the 1.5mg fluoride lozenge, dropping to baseline after 60minutes. In phase 2, after 1week use of 0.5 and 1.5mg lozenges, respectively, for the 0.5mg lozenge for 15minutes and the 1.5mg lozenge 30minutes after use, the salivary levels were significantly higher than baseline/control (0.02ppm). During 1-hour lozenge use, fluoride levels >0.1ppm were consistently achieved. Fluoride lozenges achieved elevated salivary fluoride levels during use, but only for short periods after use.