EFFECT OF NON-FLUORIDATED AND FLUORIDATED MILK ON DENTAL PLAQUE PH CHALLENGED WITH A SWEETENED DRINK AT VARIOUS TIME INTERVALS

Aim: To investigate the effect of non-fluoridated and fluoridated milk on dental plaque challenged with sweetened drink by measuring the plaque pH at various time intervals. Patients and Methods: A total of 80 children aged 6-8 years who reported to the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, of which 10 children who were interested to participate in the study were included. Children were asked to rinse for 2 min with following solutions: Distilled water, 10% sucrose, non-fluoridated milk, fluoridated milk, 10% sucrose followed by distilled water, 10% sucrose followed by non- fluoridated milk, 10% sucrose followed by fluoridated milk. The supragingival plaque was collected before rinsing and after 5,10,15,20,25,30 and 60 min to measure the plaque pH. The values were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis with one way analysis (ANOVA). Results: The result of present study shows that the minimum pH drop was almost similar for non-fluoridated and fluoridated milk group at 5 min which is lower than 10% sucrose group but the recovery of pH to baseline value was at faster rate in fluoridated milk group compared to non-fluoridated milk group. Conclusion: There are parts of world where drinking water cannot be fluoridated due to lack of resources, socio-economic and technical constraints, absence of political will and national policy on oral health. Hence fluoridation of milk can be recommended where fluoride concentration in drinking water is suboptimal and caries experience is significant.