Stannous fluoride in dentifrice: an effective anti-plaque agent in the elderly?

Stannous fluoride in dentifrice: an effective anti-plaque agent in the elderly?
Published article online:
17 Jul 2007
Issue online:
12 Nov 2007
Accepted 12 January 2007
Blackwell Synergy

Tiril Willumsen, Kirsten Solemdal, Marianne Wenaasen and Bjorn ?gaard

Institute of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

Tiril Willumsen, Institute of Clinical Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Box 1109 Blindern, N 0317 Oslo, Norway.
Tel.: 972 8 924 5022
Fax: 972 8 922 1741
E-mail: tiril@odont.uio.no
Gerodontology 2007
Stannous fluoride in dentifrice: an effective anti-plaque agent in the elderly?

Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine differences in plaque accumulation in elderly patients using two toothpastes, with either 0.2% sodium fluoride (NaF) or 0.4% stannous fluoride (SnF2), but otherwise identical.

Background data: The prevalence of denate elderly is increasing. Plaque both causes caries and is associated with an increased mortality rate in frail elderly patients with pneumonia. Therefore, the effective removal of plaque is important. Ingredients with an anti-plaque effect, such as SnF2, that can be used in toothpaste, are effective in plaque inhibition

Materials and methods: Thirty-two frail elderly women, 82Ò98 years of age (mean, 88 years) and living in a residential home, participated in a double-blind crossover study. They brushed their teeth for 4 weeks with each toothpaste. Treatment outcome was a change in the plaque index (PI) on four anterior teeth and four molars.

Results: anova showed statistically significant differences between the treatments (F = 4.21, p = 0.02). A post hoc test showed that SnF2 produced a statistically significantly lower PI than did NaF.

Conclusion: SnF2 in toothpaste may be effective in inhibiting plaque accumulation in the elderly.

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