[Supervised daily mouth-rinsing with a 0.023% weak acid NaF solution. Results of a school-based program started at the age of four].

The principal means of preventing dental caries in Japan are dietary control and tooth-brushing. However, these measures in public health have not been conducive to a definite reduction of dental caries, while the use of fluorides has led to a remarkable and rapid decrease in caries prevalence. Fluoride mouth-rinsing are usually incorporated into the school-based programs. Many trials were carried out in the elementary schools and a 30-50% reduction in caries increment was reported. To provide greater benefits to the permanent teeth, therefore, it is suggested that fluoride mouth-rinsing should be started earlier in the age. However, fluoride mouth-rinsing is not recommended generally for preschool children who cannot rinse out their mouths well. Among the solutions for mouth-rinsing, there are some different types in the fluoride used, the fluoride content and the frequency of application. The most commonly used fluoride mouth-rinsing solution for daily use is 0.05-0.1% NaF in neutral or weak acid solution. The present study was conducted to confirm the fluoride mouth-rinsing with a lower content of fluoride solution would have an additional cariostatic effect if it is started at the age of four. Participants rinsed with a weak acid (pH 5.0) NaF solution (100 ppm F) for 30 seconds 5 times a week. After all, they were received benefits from fluoride before eruption of the permanent teeth. In the present study, it was demonstrated that the effect of dental caries inhibition was greater than those in the previous study. Especially, many lower first molars were free from dental caries. After 7 years, the caries reduction rates were about 48% in DMFT and 54% in DMFS respectively. So far as 4 first molars, the caries reduction rate was about 41% in DMFT, and this figure was almost the same as all DMFT. It was recommended that the fluoride mouth-rinsing program with a lower fluoride content solution should be started at the age of four.