Fluoride in Dental Biofilm Varies across Intra-Oral Regions

Information on differences in biofilm fluoride concentration across intra-oral regions may help explain the distribution of caries within the dentition. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to describe the fluoride concentration in saliva and in biofilm fluid and biofilm solids across 6 intra-oral regions. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected from 42 participants and biofilm harvested from the buccal sites in the 4 molar and 2 anterior regions. Samples were collected at least 1 h after use of fluoride dentifrice. No attempt was made to control the participants' food consumption or use of other topical agents. Centrifuged saliva, biofilm fluid, and biofilm solids were analysed for fluoride using a fluoride ion-selective electrode, adapted for microanalysis. Fluoride in biofilm varied across intra-oral regions. The mean biofilm fluid fluoride concentrations across the oral cavity ranged from 11.6 to 16.8 µM, being statistically significantly higher in the upper anterior region than in any other region. In all regions the fluoride concentration in biofilm fluid was higher than in saliva. For biofilm solids the fluoride concentration was highest in the lower anterior region (2,461 μmol/kg) and lowest in the lower molar regions (388 and 406 μmol/kg, respectively). Within biofilm, the solids contained most of the fluoride (81 to >99%). The biofilm fluid fluoride concentration was significantly positively associated with salivary fluoride and only marginally associated with that of biofilm solids. In conclusion, this study has shown pronounced differences in fluoride distribution across intra-oral regions and compartments. This shows that the sampling site is a crucial factor for studies of biofilm fluoride.