A 3‐year clinical trial into the effect of fluoride content and toothpaste abrasivity on the caries inhibitory properties of a dentifrice

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Abstract
The effect of reducing the abrasivity of toothpaste on dental caries was observed in a 3-yr clinical trial involving 1106 11-13 yr old Berkshire [England, UK] schoolchildren. The children were divided into 3 groups; Group 1 were allocated a low abrasivity paste containing 0.8% sodium monofluorophosphate, Group 2 a paste of conventional abrasivity also containing 0.8% sodium monofluorophosphate and Group 3 a low abrasivity non-fluoride paste. After 3 yr the net DMFS [decayed, missing and filled surfaces] increments (clinical and radiographic scores combined) were 4.22 in Group 1, 4.72 in Group 2 and 6.43 in Group 3. The differences between Groups 1 and 3 and between Groups 2 and 3 were highly significantly (P < 0.001). The mean increment in Group 1 was lower than in Group 2 but did not reach statistical significance. Reducing the abrasivity of the toothpaste had no meaningful effect on the standard of oral hygiene and prevalence of gingivitis as measured by the Gingival and Plaque Indices.