Abstract

A large number of parameters will influence and mediate the activity and the pharmacological response of dental fluoride products after systemic or topical treatment. This report reviews some aspects of the pharmacokinetics of fluoride in man, fluoride bio-availability, plasma kinetics, and kinetics of fluoride in saliva and plaque fluid. Pharmacokinetic studies in growing dogs show that 90% of a single injected fluoride dose is retained shortly after birth, but at maturity it decreases to about 50%. The degree of fluoride accumulating in calcifying tissues seems to be strongly related to age. The bio-availability of fluoride from swallowed fluoride toothpaste is shown to be decreased if the toothpaste is ingested close to a meal. Several studies show that fluoride exerts its cariostatic effects through the liquid phase surrounding the enamel. The importance of fluoride in the fluid environment of the teeth and the kinetics of fluoride in saliva are discussed. Clinical studies using different slow-release fluoride systems indicate that they are promising cariostatic agents–in particular intra-oral slow-release devices and lozenges. A new micro-analytical method to study the kinetics of fluoride in plaque fluid collected from single tooth sites has been developed. Preliminary studies show that the clearance of fluoride from plaque fluid is slowest in the upper incisor region, followed by the molar region, and faster in the lower incisor region. A site-by-site study of the concentration of fluoride in plaque fluid after topical fluoride administration could be extremely beneficial in optimization of the methods and recommended safety regimens for fluoride therapy.

• Related Studies :

  • Plaque fluoride concentrations in a community without water fluoridation: effects of calcium and use of a fluoride or placebo dentifrice

    The results of a recent study by Whitford et al. [Caries Res 2002;36:256-265] with subjects whose drinking water was fluoridated led to two major conclusions: (1) Compared to the use of a placebo dentifrice, plaque fluoride concentrations ([F]) throughout much of the day are not significantly increased by the use

  • Contemporary biological markers of exposure to fluoride.

    Contemporary biological markers assess present, or very recent, exposure to fluoride: fluoride concentrations in blood, bone surface, saliva, milk, sweat and urine have been considered. A number of studies relating fluoride concentration in plasma to fluoride dose have been published, but at present there are insufficient data on plasma fluoride

  • Retention of fluoride with time in man

    Fluoride retention is high during fluoride supplementation and increases with increasing fluoride intake. When large amounts of fluoride were given for several months the retention of fluoride was about the same as in the initial phase of fluoride supplementation, whether the supplemental dose of fluoride was 10, 20, or 45

  • Dental fluorosis and caries in high-fluoride districts in Sweden.

    An investigation of the occurrence of fluorosis and caries was carried out in districts in Sweden with extremely high fluoride (F) concentrations in the drinking water. In areas with ? 10 ppm F* severe fluorosis, DEAN'S Index Grade 3 and 4, occurred on all permanent teeth and most of the

  • Fluoride in whole saliva, parotid ductal saliva and plasma in children

    The purpose was to investigate the relation between fluoride concentrations in whole saliva, parotid ductal saliva, and plasma in 5- to 10-year-old children (n = 17). Two stimulated whole-saliva samples were obtained from each child. Before the second sample was obtained, each child rinsed several times with a total of