Effects of sequential calcium phosphate-fluoride rinses on dental plaque, staining, fluoride uptake, and caries in rats.

Oral rinses which included (1) an acidic calcium phosphate solution containing 0.7 M Ca, 1.9 M PO4, and saturated with respect to CaHPO4 . 2H2O, and with a pH of 2.0, followed by (2) a 0.52 M fluoride solution, from NaF or SnF2, were provided to rats once daily for seven days. The investigation consisted of two studies: In the first study, the amounts of dental plaque on the tooth surfaces and fluoride concentrations in the outer enamel were assessed seven days after the last treatment; in the second study, the extent of dental caries was evaluated seven weeks after the last treatment. All rinse sequences containing fluoride provided significant caries protection. The acidic calcium phosphate treatment markedly enhanced the ability of the enamel to acquire fluoride without change of surface morphology. Only the rinse sequences that included stannous fluoride showed significant plaque suppression.