Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the efficacy of toothpaste containing 1000 ppm fluoride in preventing dental caries in primary teeth of preschool children.Methods
A 24-month cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted in kindergartens in Shenzhen, China. Children, aged 3-4 years, allocated to the test group received a sodium-fluoride toothpaste labelled as containing 1,000 ppm F for home use, whereas children in control kindergartens did not receive the study toothpaste and continued to use their usual toothpaste. Caries was assessed according to World Health Organization criteria, essentially at the cavitation level. The primary outcomes were the 24-month increments in dmft and dmfs index scores RESULTS: A total of 514 children completed the trial. The test group showed significantly lower mean dmft and dmfs increments than the control group after two years (2.6 vs. 3.3; 5.2 vs. 6.4, PConclusion
Daily use of 1,000 ppm fluoride toothpaste reduces caries increment in primary teeth, particularly in caries-active preschool children.Clinical significance
1,000 ppm fluoride toothpaste is recommended for preschoolers at high caries risk residing in non-fluoridated water areas, alongside with oral health behavioural interventions such as adoption of toothbrushing twice a day.