Applying fluoride solutions twice per year can effectively prevent the occurrence of tooth decay in children,revealed a new study.
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The study involved children aged between 4-6 years having at least one sound decay in the posterior teeth assessed with bitewing radiographs.
The participants are randomly allocated into three intervention groups as follows: Group 1 = control (water), Group 2 = 5% NaF varnish (Duraphat) and Group 3 = 38% SDF (Topamine).
All these agents are applied semi-annually and the new caries development is assessed by the bitewing radiographic examinations at 6-, 12-, and 18-month follow up by two blind calibrated investigators.
The new approximal caries development rates of Group 1, 2, and 3 at the 18-month examination were 22.5%, 13.6%, and 24.3%, respectively (p<0.001).
Based on these results, the semi-annual application of 5% NaF varnish is more effective than that of 38% SDF and the placebo control in preventing approximal caries in primary teeth.
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Source-Medindia