Effects of different brands of fluoride dentifrices on dental caries incidence in the rat.

The effectiveness of 3 different brands of fluoride-containing dentifrices on the prevention of dental caries was investigated in molars of young rats. Forty albino Wistar rats weighing 50-80g, 28 males and 12 females were inoculated in the mouth with streptococcus viridans daily from day 1 to day 5 of the experiment. The animals were then divided into four groups and fed with rat pellets containing 60% sucrose added as granulated sugar. All the groups were given water ad libitum. Group I had daily tooth brushing with water and served as the control while groups II, III and IV received daily brushing of their molar teeth with different fluoride--containing dentifrices: (Maxam, Florish and Close-Up respectively. All topical treatments were given for one minute daily per rat from day 6 to day 56 of the experiment. At the end of the experiment the animals were sacrificed, the jaws removed and the teeth were scored for occlusal caries. All fluoride--containing dentifrices tested reduced caries in the following order: Maxam 37.86%, Florish 59.22% and Close-Up 57.28%. This study confirmed that fluoride incorporated in Florish and Close-Up showed significant levels of caries reduction (P <0.01) and (P <0.05) respectively in the rat. It also adds credence to Dental Health Education in the application of various tooth pastes in oral hygiene measures.