Dental and skeletal tissues have their own distinct fluoride distribution profiles. It was thought useful to compare these within individuals as normally comparisons are made between different groups of individuals. The average fluoride concentration decreased in the following order; cementum, alveolar bone, cancellous bone, mandible, dentine and enamel.

The present study was undertaken to reveal the magnesium distribution in human bone. Sixty human ribs, obtained from subjects aged 10–80 years of age, were used. Transverse sections were prepared from the middle region of the human ribs. Adjacent sections were ground to a thickness of about 1000 μm. One section was used for magnesium determination by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and the other was used for analysis with X-ray microanalysis. Thirty micron thick samples were abraded continuously from the periosteal and the endosteal surfaces by abrasive microsampling, as previously described by Weatherell et al. [3]. Results showed that magnesium concentrations were higher in both the periosteal and endosteal surfaces and did not change with age in general, although it tended to be higher among teenagers and lower over 80 years old.

The study examined the glucose clearance (retention) in saliva at different surfaces of these teeth in 23 subjects. The mouth was thoroughly rinsed for 15 s with 20 ml of a 0.5 M glucose solution. The concentrations of glucose absorbed by small pieces of paper, placed on the mesial, distal, labial (buccal), lingual and occlusal surfaces 3 min after rinsing, were measured using an immobilized enzyme system and an electrochemical sensor. On the maxillary and mandibular central incisors, the glucose concentrations on the labial surfaces were significantly higher than on all other surfaces and lowest on the lingual surfaces. In the mandibular molars, glucose concentrations were significantly higher on the buccal surfaces than on the lingual surfaces. Clear site-specific differences in glucose clearance were thus observed at the different tooth surfaces. It is considered that the differences in the glucose retention rate might be indicative of factors important for the site specificity of dental caries.

A dilution technique, with fluoride as a marker, has been developed to measure the volume of saliva and other fluids in the mouth. Immediately after swallowing, a small amount of fluoride solution is placed in the mouth, mixed with the oral fluids, and expelled from the mouth. The fluoride concentration of the expelled oral fluid is measured and the volume of fluid in the mouth at the time of spitting calculated from the fluoride dilution. Mean values of 0.75 +/- (SD) 0.28 ml for males and 0.72 +/- (SD) 0.16 ml for females were recorded. The accuracy of the volume determination is about +/- 0.10 ml in vivo. This technique has provided a convenient and rapid means of determining saliva volumes. It could also be used to determine rates of secretion and may prove useful in the clinic for assessing a patient's salivary competence.

This study was undertaken to examine the influence of occlusion on the fluoride distribution in cementum following an experiment in which the occlusion in rats was locally altered by extracting the upper left molar. These and control rats with normal occlusion were given water containing 0 or 100 ppm fluoride for 12 weeks. The fluoride distributions in cementum from both first lower molars of the same animal were compared. The fluoride concentrations had increased throughout the tissue as a result of increased fluoride administration, irrespective of any changes in occlusion. They were, as usual, generally highest at or near the cementum surface and decrease towards the interior of the tissue. Where there had been a change in occlusion, the thickness of cementum was less than that of the contralateral tooth, but, despite this, the fluoride profiles in contralateral teeth were similar in both experimental and control rats. In the experimental rats, on the other hand, the total fluoride tended to be lower, and the mean fluoride tended to be higher in left molars without antagonists. These findings were never seen in the control rats. It was concluded that the alteration in occlusion influenced the fluoride distribution in the cementum through its effect on the rate of cementum formation.

Cementum of teeth previously analysed for fluoride was re-examined in order to determine whether or not periodontal disease had affected the thickness of the tissue. In the periodontally diseased teeth the cementum was thinner than normal in the middle region of the root. The apical cementum, however, was significantly thicker in periodontally diseased than in the sound teeth of subjects over 60 yr old. This may account for the higher total fluoride levels previously reported in the apical cementum of these same teeth.

Fluoride distribution was investigated by an abrasive micro-sampling technique. The fluoride concentration increased with age in both sound and diseased cementum. In sound teeth, the fluoride profiles (distribution of fluoride from the surface to interior) of the middle and apical cementum were similar. In the diseased cementum the profile of the middle region tended to be more variable than that of the apical cementum, suggesting a possible effect of the oral environment on the fluoride profile at this site.

This study was undertaken to determine the fluoride distribution in human deciduous cementum. Ten pairs of sound deciduous canines, extracted from children aged 6-9 years, were examined. The teeth were sectioned, and specimens of cementum were removed from the buccal or lingual aspect of the sections. Samples were removed sequentially by abrasion, from the cementum surface to the cementum-dentine junction, and their fluoride content determined as described earlier. The concentrations of fluoride were highest at or near the cementum surface and decreased towards the interior of the tissue. Concentrations and patterns of fluoride distribution were characteristic of the individual subjects. The distribution patterns of fluoride in the contralateral teeth from the same subject were also fairly similar.

This study was undertaken to determine the fluoride distribution in cementum and neighboring hard tissues of the rat after different levels of fluoride administration via the drinking water. Specimens of cementum with underlying dentine and adjacent bone were removed from the distal roots of the first lower molars. The fluoride distribution in each specimen was determined in samples removed sequentially using an abrasive microsampling technique. Fluoride concentrations were highest at or near the surface and decreased towards the interior of cementum, dentine and alveolar bone in both control and experimental groups. With increasing fluoride intake, concentrations increased throughout the tissue. The distribution patterns of fluoride in cementum of contralateral teeth from the same animal were similar. Fluoride concentrations in cementum were higher than those of dentine and alveolar bone.

The normal concentration of fluoride in saliva is about 1 μmol/L, which is somewhat less than that in plasma, and the salivary concentration is relatively independent of flow rate. Even this low concentration appears to be significant in terms of maintaining the integrity of tooth mineral. After fluoride consumption, the level in plasma peaks within less than an hour, and this produces a corresponding increase in salivary levels, which achieve baseline values usually within a few hours. At low concentrations (<4 mmol/L) in oral fluids, fluoride undergoes only slight reaction with tooth mineral to form fluorohydroxyapatite. However, at higher concentrations calcium fluoride is formed on the tooth surface. Although this mineral is sparingly soluble in saliva, the process of dissolution is retarded for periods of up to a week or longer by surface deposition of salivary phosphate and pyrophosphate. The rate of clearance of exogenous fluoride from saliva is prolonged when initial concentrations are high, due to the deposition of CaF2 on the tooth surface and its gradual dissolution. The clearance rate is also not constant throughout the mouth, but shows considerable site-specificity. In general, clearance is much more rapid lingually than buccally. This appears to be due to the greater lingual exposure to secretions from the major salivary glands, principally the submandibular, whereas buccally, mainly minor mucous gland secretions are present, and these are very viscous and flow at a slow rate.

There are unconfirmed, reported differences in fluoride concentration in the tooth surfaces of male and female children whose average age was 13.5 yr (range 11.5-15.7 yr) and whose teeth might therefore have been exposed for 2-3 yr after eruption to the oral environment. Thirty-two unerupted and 24 erupted mandibular first premolars were now examined. These had been extracted for orthodontic reasons from children aged from 9 to 10 yr. Samples were removed by acid etching from small areas of the enamel surface, and the fluoride and phosphorus concentrations determined with an electrode and by colorimetry, respectively. Three sites on the buccal surface and one site in the centre of the lingual surface were investigated. Fluoride concentrations were higher in erupted than in unerupted enamel. The fluoride concentration of erupted enamel from the female teeth was significantly higher than that of the males (in contrast to the previous findings), although no analogous differences emerged in the fluoride concentrations of the unerupted enamel.

Research Articles| November 18 2009 Antibacterial Activity of Some Plaque-Disclosing Agents and Dyes (Short Communication) Subject Area: Dental Medicine , Further Areas P.D. Marsh; P.D. Marsh aPathology Division, PHLS Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, Salisbury; Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar R.A. Bevis; R.A. Bevis aPathology Division, PHLS Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, Salisbury; Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar H.N. Newman; H.N. Newman bDepartment of Periodontology, Institute of Dental Surgery, University of London; Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar A.S. Hallsworth; A.S. Hallsworth cDepartment of Oral Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds; Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar C. Robinson; C. Robinson cDepartment of Oral Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds; Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar J.A. Weatherell; J.A. Weatherell cDepartment of Oral Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds; Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar A.F.V. Pitter A.F.V. Pitter dBath District Health Authority, Bath, UK Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar Caries Res (1989) 23 (5): 348–350. https://doi.org/10.1159/000261205 Article history Published Online: November 18 2009 Content Tools Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Cite Icon Cite Search Site Citation P.D. Marsh, R.A. Bevis, H.N. Newman, A.S. Hallsworth, C. Robinson, J.A. Weatherell, A.F.V. Pitter; Antibacterial Activity of Some Plaque-Disclosing Agents and Dyes (Short Communication). Caries Res 1 May 1989; 23 (5): 348–350. https://doi.org/10.1159/000261205 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll JournalsCaries Research Search Advanced Search Keywords: Antibacterial, Dental plaque, Disclosing agents, Dyes This content is only available via PDF. 1989Copyright / Drug Dosage / DisclaimerCopyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements. Article PDF first page preview Close Modal You do not currently have access to this content.

Estimates of the concentration of soluble substances in the oral fluids have generally been obtained by the analysis of whole saliva, either mixed in the mouth or obtained directly from the salivary duct. Such values may give little indication of concentrations at any particular site in the mouth. This is partly because substances do not always move easily about the mouth and also because there are large regional differences between the rates of oral clearance or retention of substances dissolved in saliva. Differential patterns therefore develop and are related, via the patterns of salivary flow, to the anatomy and physiology of the mouth. There are general features in these patterns common to all mouths and variations, which relate to characteristics of the individual, which may influence the rates of reactions occurring at different sites. The patterns may be associated with the site-specific patterns of dental disease, and they may have implications with regard to the best use of pharmaceutical agents. This paper describes some of the more recent data, problems and future possibilities in this hitherto unexplored area of oral physiology

A cross-sectional epidemiological study has been undertaken to relate the bacterial composition of approximal dental plaque with the earliest stages of caries development in schoolchildren. Small samples of plaque were removed from multiple sites around the contact areas of 42 premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons from 29 schoolchildren (mean age = 13.5 yr). Caries diagnosis was based on polarized light microscopy and contact microradiography of thin sections cut through the sample sites. Fifty-seven percent of sites (37l60) showed histological evidence of demineralization. Both the isolation frequency and the mean percentage viable count of mutans streptococci and Actinomyces viscosus were higher at sites with early caries, although mutans streptococci could not be detected at 37% of sites with early caries. At these latter sites, the proportions of Veillonella were markedly reduced. Lactobacilli were rarely isolated and were never recovered from caries-free surfaces. Analysis of the data shows that the relationship between plaque bacteria and enamel is neither merely passive nor indifferent, and that particular stages of lesion formation may be associated with different combinations of bacteria.

Using glucose as a marker, a detailed study of retention at 5 different sites in the mouth of 1 subject and a less detailed examination of 4 selected sites in the mouths of 10 other subjects revealed site-specific differential patterns of oral retention (or clearance). These patterns seemed independent of sometimes large, absolute day-to-day variations in oral retention which occur in all subjects but appeared to vary somewhat between subjects, probably reflecting slight differences in the anatomy and physiology of the individual mouth. In general, the patterns resembled those recently derived from studies of other oral phenomena such as rates of diffusion out of plaque, fluoride uptake by mineral and hydrogen ion concentrations in plaque. They will dictate the concentrations and thereby influence the activity of all extraneous substances in different regions of the oral cavity and may relate to the site-specific patterns of oral disease.