In vitro and in vivo studies of an NaF impregnated toothpick.

Fluoridated toothpicks (John O. Butler Co.), containing an average of 0.80 mg F as NaF, demonstrated a quick F release in vitro after 1 min immersion in distilled water (0.13 mg; 16%). Continued F release was found after 5 (0.22 mg; 28%) and 60 min (0.35 mg; 44%) and 24 hr (0.55 mg; 69%). In addition, F concentrations were measured in whole saliva of 10 adults before and after 1 min use of an F toothpick and after sucking on an 0.25 mg F tablet (Fludent). Baseline F concentrations of about 1 microM/L increased to 35 microM/L after using the toothpick. In comparison, the F tablet gave a mean salivary F concentration of 71 microM/L. The F levels in saliva after 1 hr were for the F toothpick 3 microM/L and for the F tablet 8 microM/L. Thus, F impregnated toothpick seems to be an interesting vehicle for F release in the oral cavity and merits further studies from a cariostatic point of view.