Fluoride clearance of whole saliva in young school children after topical application.

The importance of fluoride in the saliva after topical F-application has been a matter of discussion in recent years. Therefore the aim of this study was to determine the elevation and clearance of fluoride in whole saliva in 24 seven-year-old children, 5, 30 and 120 minutes after the following topical fluoride treatments. Exp. 1: chewing F-tablets - (0.25 mg F - ACO); Exp. 2: sucking F-tablets - (0.25 mg F - Fludent); Exp. 3: F-chewing gum - (0.25 mg F - Fluomin); Exp. 4: F-mouthrinsing - (0.2% NaF); Exp. 5: F-toothpaste - (250 ppm F - ACTA); Exp. 6: F-toothpaste - (1000 ppm F); Exp. 7: F-varnish - (2.3% F - Duraphat). Statistical analysis (ANOVA) showed "the time factor" was statistically significant. The interaction between "time factor" and "treatment factor" is obvious. After F-varnish (Duraphat) and F-mouthrinsing treatment there was a significantly increased fluoride concentration in the saliva even after 120 minutes compared to the other treatments. After F-varnish treatment, the concentration in saliva two hours after application was statistically significantly higher than for the other treatments. The mouthrinsings resulted in comparison to the F-varnish in a lower F-concentration after 30 and 120 minutes which however was statistically significantly higher than the F-concentration following the other treatments. No statistical difference was found between F-applications after 30 and 120 minutes.