Effect of Daily Applications of Sodium Monofluorophosphate Solution on Caries Rate in Children

¹ Division of Dentistry, University of Oklahoma School of Medicine, Oklahoma City, and Research Division Ozark-Mahoning Company, Tulsa, Oklahoma

The daily application of a 6 per cent solution of sodium monofluorophosphate to the teeth, with a toothbrush, by children six to fourteen years of age, for a period of 9 months, resulted in a 30.9 per cent reduction of their R.I.D. and a 25.5 per cent reduction of their DFS. After 14 months of use, the R.I.D. was 39.4 per cent lower than in a control group, and the DFS was 42.1 per cent lower. The children using the fluoride also had 41.0 per cent more reversed or remineralized lesions after the 9-month period and 66.0 per cent more than those in the control group after 14 months of use. This test was conducted in an area supplied with water containing 1 ppm fluoride, added as sodium fluorosilicate, and the results indicate a significant additive, anticariogenic effect of sodium monofluorophosphate to that accruing from water fluoridation.