potassium-fluoride and Dental-Caries

Topics: Dental Caries; Eating; Fluorides; Fluorides, Topical; Humans; Incidence; Potassium Compounds; Sodium Fluoride; Tablets

In 1985, the production and use of fluoridated salt was authorized in France. Domestic salt both with added fluoride (at 250 ppm) and without fluoride has been on the market since 1986. It was recommended to avoid the consumption of fluoridated salt if the local drinking water contained more than 0.5 milligrams of fluoride per litre. The legislation has never been modified since, except for a few developments such as the permission given to school canteens in 1993 to use fluoridated salt, provided canteen managers made sure that the drinking water contained no more than 0.5 milligrams of fluoride per litre. Epidemiological surveys about fluoridated salt in France are few, but they point in the same direction: decrease of DMFT and DMFS values, evident for the period 1986-1993 but minimal from 1993 to 1998. In 1999 and 2002, epidemiological comparative surveys were carried out in Montpellier (France) and Heidelberg (Germany) among 12-year-old schoolchildren. A decrease in caries prevalence was found in both towns, particulary in Heidelberg. On the other hand, the two cities showed some slight differences resulting from public health policy, from individual preventive habits, and from an earlier introduction of fluoridated salt in France.

Topics: Cariostatic Agents; Child; Dental Caries; Fluoridation; Fluorides; France; Germany; Humans; Potassium Compounds; Prevalence; Sodium Chloride, Dietary

Since 1991, fluoridated salt has been on sale in household-size packages in Germany. Potassium or sodium fluoride is added to iodized salt until the fluoride concentration reaches 250 mg/kg. The use of fluoridated salt to prevent caries is officially recommended by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Zahn-, Mund- und Kieferheilkunde (DGZMK) and several other associations and groups interested in public health. In the course of the past thirteen years, the market share of fluoridated and iodized domestic salt rose to 63.1% in Germany. However, this positive development must not obscure the fact that fluoridated and iodized salt is still not allowed to be used in restaurant or cafeteria kitchens. This restriction now needs to be revoked in view of the fact that many children, adolescents and adults take their main meals in cafeterias or restaurants. Scientific studies have demonstrated beyond doubt that using fluoridated and iodized salt in cafeteria kitchens poses no problem whatever.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Cariostatic Agents; Child; Child, Preschool; Dental Caries; DMF Index; Fluorides; Food Services; Germany; Humans; Potassium Compounds; Sodium Chloride, Dietary; Sodium Fluoride

The caries prevalence in a multi-stage probability sample of 18,786 children representative of all French children 6-15 years of age was studied in 1991 and compared with the results of a similar survey made in 1987. A significant decline in dental caries in France became evident. This decline, observed in primary as well as in permanent teeth, was of variable magnitude among the different age groups. At the age of 6, 48.6% of the children were totally caries-free in 1991. At the age of 12, the DMFT and DMFS indices were 2.59 and 4.72, respectively, representing a corresponding decrease of 38% and 37%. In 1991, more caries-affected teeth or surfaces were filled, whereas fewer caries-affected teeth or surfaces were untreated. Females and children living in rural areas had a higher caries prevalence in both surveys. Pit-and-fissure lesions were the predominant caries types. Dental fluorosis was very uncommon; 96.1% of the 18,786 children examined in 1991 were totally free of any such lesions. Average plaque and calculus indices were similar in 1987 and in 1991, but a decrease of 25% was observed in the average gingival indices. Although the relative contributions of various preventive factors leading to this caries reduction are not clear, it should be noted that use of fluoridated salt (250 mg/kg KF) started in January, 1987. The sale of fluoridated dentifrices and the use of fluoride tablets and sugar substitutes increased during the period from 1987 to 1991.

Topics: Adolescent; Age Distribution; Analysis of Variance; Child; Dental Caries; Dental Fissures; Dental Plaque Index; DMF Index; Female; Fluorides; Fluorosis, Dental; France; Humans; Male; Oral Hygiene Index; Periodontal Index; Potassium Compounds; Prevalence; Sodium Chloride; Tooth, Deciduous

In France, oral prevention has recently progressed in various aspects of dental caries prophylaxis which is reviewed in this paper. A better knowledge of dental caries prevalence has been obtained at a national level and the French Government authorized in October 1985 salt fluoridation for a period of 5 years which in addition to other means of caries prevention such as fluoridated toothpastes and various local and topical procedures has increased the potentials of fluoride use in France. In addition a larger use of fissure sealants has been encouraged. It is hoped that the introduction of salt fluoridation in France will reduce the caries incidence to a DMFT not more than 3 for the 12 year old children thus fulfilling the WHO goals for oral health in the year 2000.

Topics: Adolescent; Child; Dental Caries; Fluorides; Fluorides, Topical; France; Humans; Pit and Fissure Sealants; Potassium; Potassium Compounds; Preventive Dentistry; Sodium Chloride

Topics: Dental Caries; Fluorides; Humans; Incidence; Potassium Compounds; Sodium Fluoride; Tablets; Tooth

Topics: Autopsy; Dental Caries; Fluorides; Humans; Potassium Compounds; Tooth