Effect of fluoride and non‐fluoride salts of copper, silver and tin on the acidogenicity of dental plaque in vivo

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Abstract
The relative importance of metal and fluoride components in the inhibiting effect on the acidogenicity of plaque exhibited by silver fluoride and copper fluoride, was assessed. The effect of these salts was therefore compared with that of silver nitrate and copper sulfate. Four [human] subjects with a 3 day old sucrose-induced plaque received topical applications of the test agents. Plaque pH-measurements, in the presence of sucrose, were performed prior to and at given time intervals after this application. No significant differences were observed in the inhibitory effect of 5 mM solutions of the copper and silver salts. These salts were all more effective than stannous fluoride in the 1st 4 h following application. Sodium fluoride was the least effective. All metals tested were retained in the plaque. The inhibitory activity is carried by the cations. Other properties than retention alone may explain the higher effectiveness observed for Ag and Cu.