Effect of topical application of stannous fluoride, stannous chloride and stannous tartrate on rat caries.

Topical application of 10 mM aqueous solutions of stannous fluoride inhibited caries in rats to a higher degree than 20 mM sodium fluoride, although the difference was not statistically significant. Furthermore, stannous fluoride reduced the number of Strep. mutans in plaque significantly; stannous ions have an antibacterial effect. Stannous chloride and stannous tartrate did not reduce caries in the rats, probably because of the low concentrations of available stannous ions in these solutions at low pH. The high concentration of stannous ions in solutions of stannous fluoride is probably partly due to the reduced hydroxide formation resulting from the buffering effect of HF formed at low pH in this solution.