Prevention of Dental Decay: Role of Fluoride in Dentifrices

Abstract

Objective: To identify the different fluoride levels and compounds in locally manufactured toothpaste and the dental caries status of Karachi, Pakistan. Cross-Sectional StudyThis study was conducted in the Dental Out Patient Department (OPD) of a public sector tertiary care hospital,over a period of 15 days. The local brands of toothpaste available were collected through the market survey of a major departmental store of Karachi. The quantity and the compound of fluoride claimed by the manufacturer were recorded. A group of 300 patients were evaluated through a structured proforma for their demographic characteristics, brand name of the toothpaste which they claimed to use for the past six months and the number of decayed teeth (by type 1 dental examination). Results: The clinical dental examination revealed that active tooth decay of 32.33%, 15.33% and 52.33% was observed in subjects reported the use of toothpaste with 1000ppm, 1400ppm and those which did not claim any fluoride concentration, respectively. Decay count of 52.66% was identified in subjects who used tooth pasteswith sodium fluoride, while it was 37.33% where sodium mono fluoro phosphate was present. Conclusion: Relative caries preventive effects of fluoride toothpaste increase with increase in fluoride levels. NaF has been found to be superior to SMFP for the control of dental caries

Keywords

• fluorides
• toothpastes
• dental caries
• primary prevention.