Journal of Dental Research, Vol 56, 212-221, Copyright © 1977 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Combined effects of sucrose and fluoride on experimental caries and on the associated microbial plaque
C. A. Ostrom, T. Koulourides, F. Hickman and P. Phantumvanti
In an experimental model, slabs of sound and presoftened bovine enamel were
worn in the human mouth for seven days except for periodic removal for in
vitro exposure to experimental variables. Supplementation with 3% sucrose
for 10 minutes, four times daily for seven days yielded predicted levels of
experimental caries. Parallel exposure to 3% sucrose containing 100 ppm
fluoride sharply reduced or negated the resultant caries in originally
sound enamel, and reversed the simulated pre-experimental caries in most
samples of presoftened enamel. Serial layers of test enamel surfaces showed
high levels of fluoride accumulated in the originally sound enamel, and
even higher levels in the presoftened enamel that had been suppemented with
sucrose-fluoride solution. Quantitation of the plaqye microbial flora
showed that the fluoride ion exerted no detectable influence. Consistent
with the findings in previous studies, some correlation appeared to exist
between the degree of experimental caries and that proportion of total
plaque that was comprised of S salivarius. S mutans, or lactobacilli.
