Abstract

The cariostatic capability of fluoride is generally recognized, in addition, it may also have a beneficial effect on bone. Fluoride is thought to exercise its cariostasis through a local effect on teeth, however, the possibility exists that fluoride exerts its action through a systemic mechanism. Fluoride uptake by rat teeth and its effectiveness as a cariostatic substance was studied in parotidectomized, submaxillariectomized, and totally sialoadenectomized animals (both parotid and submaxillary glands removed). The uptake of fluoride in bone was also quantitated for comparison purposes.

Rats were injected daily with 15 micromoles of fluoride dissolved in 0.1 ml saline. The rats were maintained on a non-cariogenic Purina Lab. Chow diet and distilled water. The control animals were injected with saline only.

The results showed that saline infused parotidectomized and totally sialoadenectomized rats experienced a significant retardation in growth along with an increase in caries score when compared to saline infused intact rats. The effect on both parameters was greater in the totally sialoadenectomized rats. Submaxillariectomy had no significant effect on either growth or caries score. The retardation of growth was also observed in the fluoride treated rats.

The increase in dental caries score associated with the surgical procedures (parotidectomy and total sialoadenectomy) performed in the saline infused rats was not inhibited by fluoride administration. Under these conditions the cariostatic effectiveness of fluoride appears to be totally lost even though the concentration of fluoride in the molar teeth was significantly elevated in both the parotidectomized and sialoadenectomized rats. The highest concentration of fluoride in the molar teeth was found in the totally sialoadenectomized animals. In this group, it was also found that significant amounts of fluoride accumulated in the incisors and femur bone.

In summary, the cariostatic efficacy of fluoride is lost when administered by subcutaneous injection to parotidectomized and totally sialoadenectomized rats in spite of the increased incorporation of fluoride into the tooth structure. Because fluoride incorporation in bone is increased in the totally sialoadenectomized rats, it appears that there may be a common mechanism which can affect fluoride turnover in mineralized tissues. Factors from the salivary glands are apparently essential for optimal cariostasis and for regulating fluoride turnover in mineralized tissue.

LLU Discipline

Physiology

Department

Physiology

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

John Leonora

Second Advisor

Jean-Marc Tieche

Third Advisor

Raymond G. Hall

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1984

Date (Title Page)

12-1984

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Fluorides -- antagonists & inhibitors; Salivary Glands; Dental Caries -- prevention & control

Type

Thesis

Page Count

2 v; 41

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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