PURPOSE: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the fluoride concentration in mouthrinses and their capacity to intervene with the caries process. METHODS: The analysis of the fluoride concentration in the solutions was carried with ion specific electrode connected to an ion analyzer. Bovine incisors enamel blocks with previously known superficial microhardness were submitted to a pH cycling model and treated with fluoridated solutions, and later reanalyzed for microhardness and fluoride incorporation. RESULTS: The fluoride concentration (ppm) found in the solutions SANiFill- Sanikids®, Colgate Plax Fresh Mint®, Oral B®, Sorriso Fresh® and Cepacol® (not fluoridated) were, respectively: 242.91±21.89; 248.42±3.55; 248.29±11.31; 257.61±17.57 and 35.37±10.64. The lowest loss of superficial microhardness was observed with the use Sorriso Fresh® (29.66%± 8.84), followed by Plax Fresh mint® (32.99%±14.09) and Oral B® (43.00%±18.34). CONCLUSION: The data suggest that fluoride solutions, in proper concentrations, are capable of intervening on the phenomena of demineralization and remineralization, promoting fluoride incorporation and, consequently, decreasing the loss of microhardness on dental enamel.
Microhardness; fluoride; pH-cycling