Fluoride Supplementation During Lactation: Caries Inhibition without Reduction in Enamel Solubility

Abstract

The mechanism of caries inhibition by sodium fluoride was studied in the albino rat and in vitro using mild acid buffer and a phosphatase model system. Feeding of fluoride to lactating mothers affected the ultimate caries experience of the pups, but did not reduce the subsequent solubility of the molar tooth enamel, or the ability of the enamel to act as a substrate for phosphoprotein phosphatase.