P. Arneberg et al., INTRAORAL VARIATIONS IN TOTAL PLAQUE FLUORIDE RELATED TO PLAQUE PH - A STUDY IN ORTHODONTIC PATIENTS, Caries research, 31(6), 1997, pp. 451-456
The aim of the present investigation was to study intra-oral variation
s in total plaque fluoride, and to examine whether such variations wer
e related to plaque pH. Five orthodontic patients abstained from oral
hygiene and daily fluoride rinsing for 2 days. Resting and fermenting
plaque pH was measured with a touch micro-electrode at 14-21 localized
sites on bonded vestibular tooth surfaces in each subject. Plaque sam
ples from the same sites were analysed with a fluoride micro-electrode
. A wide range of plaque pH values and fluoride concentrations were ob
served. In all subjects plaque pH and total fluoride levels were lower
at upper than at lower front teeth. A direct log-linear relationship
existed between total fluoride and fermenting plaque pH. In 4 of the 5
subjects this relationship was statistically significant (p<0.05) and
quite strong (adjusted R-2 0.2-0.5, Beta 0.5-0.7). The study shows si
gnificant intra-oral variations in total plaque fluoride related to pl
aque pH.