ANTI-MICROBIAL EFFECT OF FLUORIDES (ACIDULATED PHOSPHATE, SODIUM AND STANNOUS) ON ACTINOMYCES-VISCOSUS

The effect of 3 commercially prepared fluoride compounds (acidulated phosphate fluoride [APF] 1.23% F-, stannous fluoride 0.4% and sodium fluoride 0.05%), diluted to various concentrations with brain heart infusion broth, on the growth of 5 strains of A. viscosus following 1 and 24 h exposure to the fluorides, was studied. SnF2 was the most effective growth inhibitor of the organisms at 500 ppm F- after 1 h and at 100 ppm F- after 24 h exposure. APF and NaF were not effective within a 1 h exposure period, but did suppress growth of the organisms at 200 ppm in the cultures exposed for 24 h.