Effect of fluoride on glucose incorporation and metabolism in biofilm cells of Streptococcus mutans

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Abstract
The aim of this study was two‐fold: firstly, to study the effect of high fluoride concentrations on carbohydrate metabolism in Streptococcus mutans present in biofilms on hydroxyapatite; and, secondly, to evaluate the effect of fluoride‐bound hydroxyapatite on lactic acid formation in growing biofilms of Strep. mutans. Biofilms of a clinical strain of Strep. mutans on saliva‐coated hydroxyapatite beads were incubated with sodium fluoride over a wide range of concentrations. At high fluoride concentrations (>10 mM) the incorporation of [14C]‐labeled glucose decreased by 80–85%, at both pH 7.0 and 5.6. At lower fluoride concentrations, the effect of fluoride on the incorporation of labeled glucose was pH‐dependent in both biofilm cells and in planktonic cells. At pH 7.0, fluoride at concentrations Strep. mutans. Fluoride varnish and 0.2% (47.6 mM) sodium fluoride solution exhibited a statistically significant inhibitory effect on lactate production.