The effect of a sodium monofluorophosphate dentifrice on the gingiva.

Abstract

Prior to the start of the present investigation, 578 children in the 10–12 year age‐group in Ballerup‐Måløv municipality (a suburban area near Copenhagen) had participated in a 30‐months investigation of the caries‐inhibiting effect of a dentifrice containing sodium monofluorophosphate. At the end of this 30‐month study, a group of 172 children, selected at random, were examined for incidence of plaque and gingivitis. At this point the supervised toothbrushing at school ceased, as did the supplying of dentifrice to the families. One year later (i.e. 42 months after the start of the basic experiment), the children were re‐examined.The results of the investigation led to the following conclusions: 1. The incidence of plaque and gingivitis was identical in the fluoride group and the control group at both first and second examination. This suggests that using a dentifrice containing sodium monofluorophosphate ‐ up to three times a day ‐ for 30 months does not increase the incidence of plaque or gingivitis in children. 2. At the time of the second examination (1 year later) a significant increase in Plaque Index and Gingival Index scores occurred (P<0.05), presumable because the children now no longer brushed their teeth under supervision.