Application of fluoride disturbs plaque microecology and promotes remineralization of enamel initial caries.

BACKGROUND

The caries-preventive effect of topical fluoride application has been corroborated by a number of clinical studies. However, the effect of fluoride on oral microecology remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To monitor the effect of fluoride on dental plaque microecology and demineralization/remineralization balance of enamel initial caries.

METHODS

Three-year-old children were enrolled and treated with fluoride at baseline and 6 months. International Caries Detection and Assessment System II indices of 52 subjects were measured at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Supragingival plaque samples of 12 subjects were collected at baseline, 3 and 14 days for 16S rRNA sequencing.

RESULTS

Changes in microbial community structure were observed at 3 days after fluoridation. Significant changes in the relative abundance of microorganisms were observed after fluoride application, especially , unidentified and . Functional prediction revealed that cell movement, carbohydrate and energy metabolism were affected significantly after fluoride application. Fluoride significantly inhibited enamel demineralization and promoted remineralization of early demineralized caries enamel at 3 months.

CONCLUSION

Fluoride application significantly inhibited the progression of enamel initial caries and reversed the demineralization process, possibly by disturbing dental plaque microecology and modulating the physicochemical action of demineralization/remineralization. This deepened our understanding of caries-preventive effects and mechanisms of fluoride.