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A within-subject double-blind cross-over study was carried out to examine whether the chemical composition of approximal plaque was altered 1 and 24 h after brushing with fluoride toothpaste. Three fluoride toothpastes were tested, containing either sodium monofluorophosphate with calcium glycerophosphate supplement and calcium carbonate abrasive, a combination of sodium monofluorophosphate and sodium fluoride with the same supplement and abrasive or sodium fluoride with a silica abrasive. A fluoride-free toothpaste with a silica abrasive acted as the control. 19 subjects used the toothpastes separately in randomised order for 1 week each prior to collection of plaque. Contralateral half-mouth approximal plaque samples were collected 1 and 24 h after the last use of each toothpaste. Fluoride, calcium and inorganic phosphorus concentrations of plaque were estimated. The results indicated that brushing with toothpastes containing fluoride and/or calcium supplements resulted in increased concentrations of these constituents in approximal plaque 1 h after brushing. These elevated levels of inorganic ions were not observed in the samples collected 24 h after brushing. It was concluded that the potentially beneficial effect of a raised concentration of fluoride and calcium in approximal plaque observed soon after brushing is lost during the following 24 h.

A within-subject cross-over study was carried out to examine whether brushing with fluoride toothpastes would alter the composition of approximal plaque. Approximal plaque was collected from 22 subjects following brushing with toothpastes containing sodium fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate with calcium glycerophosphate and a fluoride-free control toothpaste. Concentrations of plaque calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and fluoride were estimated. Toothbrushing with the fluoride toothpastes resulted in significantly greater concentrations of fluoride in approximal plaque when compared with the control toothpaste. However, there was no significant difference between the two fluoride toothpastes. The use of the sodium monofluorophosphate containing toothpaste resulted in significantly elevated concentrations of calcium and inorganic phosphorus in approximal plaque when compared to both sodium fluoride and control toothpastes. It was concluded that the use of a fluoride toothpaste can alter the chemical composition of approximal plaque.