Studies on the effect of dentifrices with low fluoride content

The caries prophylactic effect of dentifrices with a low fluoride (F) content has been tested in a 2‐year double‐blind experiment on 1,150 schoolchildren aged 11–14 years who have had fortnightly F mouthrinses as a basic prophylaxis. Clinical registration of new DMFS and new smooth surface caries showed only insignificant differences for the groups treated with regular, weak or F‐free dentifrices. Radiographic investigation showed a tendency towards fewer decayed surfaces in the groups treated with a monofluorophosphate (MFP) dentifrice with regular F content and CaCO3 as polishing agent, but no significant effect with the corresponding dentifrice with lower F content. In groups treated with a dentifrice with silicon dioxide as the polishing agent both the regular content of MFP and a weak concentration of NaF resulted in fewer radiographically diagnosed carious lesions in the groups of girls, who had a higher caries rate than the boys. These and other data are combined in the Discussion into a hypothetic model for the mode of action of MFP and NaF dentifrices, with a view to continued development towards optimal clinical results with minimal F absorption.