Clinical and Bacteriological Studies of the Use of a Fluoride Dentifrice

Abstract

Clinical observations made on the use of a fluoride dentifrice containing 0.5% NaF showed that daily use over a period of a year produced some desensitization of sensitive cervical areas of teeth affected with gingival recession. Observations were made on 200 subjects. In no case was there any irritation of the gingivae, nor was there any pathology which could be traced to the fluoride dentifrice. Lactobacillus counts taken on 47 patients showed that 10 of 32 subjects using the fluoride dentifrice exhibited a significant decrease in the Lactobacillus count after using the dentifrice for one month. Lactobacillus counts in a control group of 15 patients using a fluorine-free dentifrice showed no significant change. The experiment was conducted under close supervision and surveyance in a controlled group of adult subjects.