From the graph, the mouth rinses with higher fluoride concentrations delivered higher salivary fluoride concentrations. The 500 ppm F mouth rinse resulted in a 2660% increase in total fluoride salivary retention over 60 minutes when compared with the 0 ppm F group, and a 120% increase when compared with the 225 ppm F group. A significant difference (p<0.001) in the AUC0–60 means between the three groups was observed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Paired t-tests also showed significant differences in the mean fluoride retention over 60 minutes for all three pair-wise group comparisons (p<0.001).

The authors concluded that use of a fluoride mouth rinse containing 225 ppm F or 500 ppm F produced a significant increase in salivary fluoride retention following brushing with a 1450 ppm F toothpaste and rinsing with water compared to rinsing without fluoride.

It is interesting to note that in order to achieve post-brushing salivary fluoride retention of periods of up to 60 minutes, it is not necessary to rinse with solutions containing very high levels of fluoride. The results of this study suggest that using a post-brushing mouth rinse with a fluoride concentration of at least 225 ppm will increase salivary fluoride retention over brushing alone.

The use of the highest fluoride mouth rinse (500 ppm) may be of particular benefit to those at high caries risk.

References

1. Cooper L et al. Effect of post-brushing mouthwash solutions on salivary fluoride retention - study 2. J Clin Dent 2012; 23: 92–96.