Objectives: In this study we investigated the effect of exogenous sodium fluoride (NaF) on the rate of wound healing of human diabetic gingival fibroblasts (HDGF) in an established in vitro model.
Methods: HDGF cells were isolated and cultured from diabetic patients. A 3 mm wound was created in confluent HDGF cultures. The cells were maintained in BioWhittaker UltraCULTURE medium containing 6% fetal bovine serum with 0 to 4800 ppm fluoride. The cells were stained on days 3, 6 and 9 with hematoxylin and eosin. The wound fill was measured microscopically using NIH Image Analysis.
Results: With 0, 600, 1200, 2400, 3600 and 4800 ppm of NaF, the wound fill on day 3 was 18.9%, 19.9%, 22.9%, , 19.7%, 18.2% and 19.5%, respectively; on day 6, the wound fill was 49.6%, 46.6%, 45.0%, 43.8%, 43.5% and 42.9% ; on day 9 the wound fill was 67.8%, 65.1%, 47.8%, 49.9%, 48.6% and 39.1% , respectively. NaF doses of 1200 ppm or above reduced the percentage of wound fill by day 9 in statistically significant fashion (P< 0.05). Commercially available toothpastes contain 1500 or 2400 ppm NaF.
Conclusions: These results suggest that long term use of toothpaste containing 1200 ppm or more NaF may delay wound healing in diabetic patients.