Salivary Fluoride Levels Following Application of Two Novel Fluoride Products

Objectives: Determine salivary fluoride levels at baseline, 1-, 4-, 15-, and 60-minutes post-application using 2 experimental topically applied fluoride materials.
Methods: This randomized cross-over in-vivo study evaluated salivary fluoride levels after application of two experimental Sodium Fluoride coating materials. Healthy volunteers (N=12) went through a washout period using provided toothbrush, non-fluoridated toothpaste, and dental floss to ensure salivary fluoride was close to zero before treatment. Study materials were applied by a licensed dental hygienist with a 2-day washout period between applications. Saliva samples were analyzed using an ion selective electrode. The mean T_{1 min}, T_{4 min,} T_{15 min,} T_{60 min} salivary fluoride concentrations were analyzed with an ANOVA model using treatment, baseline, sequence and order as fixed effects; subject as a random effect; and with log₁₀ transformed fluoride values. Fold changes from baseline were estimated and tested for significance from the null of no change. Subjects’ opinions of taste and feel were also tracked.
Results: 12 subjects completed the study. There were no significant differences in salivary fluoride concentration between the two materials detected at any time points.
Significant fold changes in fluoride concentration were estimated at all time points from 10^3.3 times baseline at 1 minute to 10^0.7-10^0.8 times baseline at 60 minutes (p<0.0001). The subject detection of taste decreased over time and was not different between the experimental products tested.
Conclusions: This study showed that each prototype could be taken into consideration as a new fluoride product with acceptable salivary fluoride levels, taste, and mouth feel offering an alternative for existing fluoride treatments.