The Incidence of Dental Caries in Hamsters Receiving Two Different Water-Soluble Fluorides at Low Concentrations

Abstract

SnF2 admn. in the drinking water at a fluoride level of 10 ppm. was shown to be superior to NaF in its ability to reduce dental caries in the hamster. Less fluorine is stored in the skeletal system when SnF2 is given than when an equal concn. of NaF is admn. No disturbance in calcification is noticed when either salt is used as judged by analysis of the femurs for Ca and phosphorus. The reason for the superiority of SnF2 in reducing dental caries in the hamster is not understood. A new method of evaluating the severity of dental caries in small animals is presented.