Synergistic Effect of Molybdenum and Fluoride on Dental Caries in Rat.

Abstract

Addition of 25 ppm molybdenum to the drinking water decreased the incidence of dental caries by 18% while addition of 25 ppm fluoride decreased the caries incidence by 32% in the albino rat. Addition of both 25 ppm molybdenum and 25 ppm fluoride reduced caries incidence by 52%. Fluoride analysis indicated that the presence of molybdenum is associated with an increased skeletal retention of fluoride. The increased anticariogenic effectiveness and skeletal retention of fluoride in the presence of molybdenum may be due to the ability of molybdenum to increase the metabolic availability of the fluoride ion.