5,000 ppm F dentifrice for caries prevention in adolescents

Randomised controlled trial.

Volunteers aged 14-16 years with DMFS ≥ 5 were recruited, those with orthodontic appliances were excluded. Participants were assigned dentifrices for unsupervised toothbrushing. The test group received Duraphat 5,000 ppm F (Colgate-Palmolive AB, Danderyd, Sweden) and the control group Pepsodent Superfluor 1,450 ppm F (Lever Fabergé, Stockholm, Sweden), both as NaF. Toothbrushes and dentifrices were delivered to their home addresses by post, every third month. Patricipants and their parents were instructed to keep the 5,000 ppm dentifrice in a safe place away from small children. Evaluations were carried out at two years and a compliance questionnaire was administered.

The outcome variables were caries incidence and progression of proximal and occlusal caries.

28% of participants were considered to have had poor compliance as assessed by questionnaire. Those using 5,000 ppm F toothpaste had significantly lower caries progression compared to those using 1,450 ppm F toothpaste with a prevented fraction of 40%, with those with poorer compliance showing a slightly higher prevented fraction (42%).

The 5,000 ppm toothpaste therefore appears to be an important vehicle for the treatment and prevention of caries in patients with a high caries risk. The data may indicate that 5,000 ppm toothpaste has a greater impact on individuals who do not use toothpaste regularly or do not brush twice a day.