The Effect of an Acidulated Fluoride Mouthwash on Dental Caries

Abstract
The effect of a pH mouth wash used twice a week was tested for 1 yr. on 6th grade children. The 187 children using an acidulated sodium fluoride mouthwash had a caries attack rate more than 30% higher than 169 children using an acidulated fluoride-free mouthwash. It is suggested that this negative effect of fluoride treatments may be the result of acidulation of the mouthwash used and an explanatory hypothesis is offered.