Salivary Fluoride following APF Gel Application with and without Expectoration

Objectives: To study the fluoride levels and the time of decreasing fluoride levels in saliva with and without one minute of expectoration following APF gel application.

Methods: Collecting saliva from 20 volunteers before and after applying with 1.23% APF gel for 4 minutes. First group expectorate saliva immediately in the first minute. Second group do not expectorate. Then collecting saliva from both groups at 30 and 60 minutes and in 1-30, 31-60, 61-120 minutes to measure fluoride concentration and fluoride content respectively. Fluoride levels was measured by pH/ion meter. The data were analyzed by Mann Whitney test, Friedmann test and Wilcoxson Signed Rank test.

Results: Fluoride concentration in saliva of with and without expectorate groups before and after applying at 30 and 60 minutes are 0.20±0.12, 9.26±7.75, 4.05±3.12 and 0.25±0.16,12.46±8.00, 5.40±3.89 ppm. respectively. Comparing fluoride concentration in saliva in each group before and after applying at 30 and 60 minutes significantly increased (p<0.01). No significant difference at 30 and 60 minutes between groups (p>0.05). Fluoride content in saliva of with and without expectorate groups before and after applying in 0-30, 31-60 and 61-120 minutes are 0.67±0.62, 1532.08±540.52, 101.50±65.65, 80.52±70.39 and 0.60±0.40, 4850.67±929.81, 102.00±26.23, 88.03±28.78 ppm. respectively. It appeared that expectoration group reduced fluoride content in saliva in first 30 minutes significantly (p<0.01). No significant difference between groups at 31-60 and 61-120 minutes (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Fluoride content in saliva in first 30 minutes after applying fluoride gel of one-minute immediately expectorated was reduced significantly.