Journal of Dental Research, Vol 64, 454-456, Copyright © 1985 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Immediate and delayed effects of an enzyme-dependent mineralizing mouthrinse on dental plaque
R. G. Schamschula, E. I. Pearce, P. S. Un and M. H. Cooper
Twenty-two children aged 13 to 14 years rinsed for 3 X 1 min periods with a
supersaturated calcium phosphate solution containing urea and
monofluorophosphate. Plaque sampled one min after the last rinse showed a
marked increase in water-extractable F and a smaller increase in Ca but no
increase in water-extractable P. Water-insoluble forms of all three ions
were elevated, however. The mean plaque pH was 8.28. Plaque sampled 24 hr
after the last rinse showed significant increases in water-insoluble F and
Ca only, and no increase in pH. The prompt pH rise and disappearance of
water-soluble P suggest that, on exposure to the mineralizing solution,
urea and monofluorophosphate are rapidly hydrolyzed by plaque enzymes to
provide catabolites which cause the immediate precipitation of fluoridated
calcium phosphate.
