Evening star., 1948-12-30
Use eofSodium FIuoride
In Toothpaste Studied
To Cut Down Decay

The possibility of adding a SIM
pie chemical to tooth paste in order
to prevent dental decay Is under
serious study in several research
projects.
This was revealed at a press
conference yesterday by DR.. Basil
G. Bibby, director of the Eastman
Dental Research Laboratory, Roch-
ester, N. Y, who is credited with
introducing application of sodium
fluoride to children's teeth to re-
duce decay.
Research projects have proved
fluoride cuts down decay by about
half. AS a result the District
Health Department is one of those
throughout the Nation that is Of
fering the simple treatment in pub
lie schools.
Effective for Adults.
DR.. Bibby also disclosed prelim-
mary studies show the treatment
to be as effective in treating adults
as children He based this on an
unpublished study of 40 dental stu
dents made in Boston year ago by
DR.. Egil Klinkenberg of Tufts Col
lege. DR. Bibby last night was pre-
sented an achievement award for
his fuorine work by Alpha Omega
Fraternity at the groups 41st con-
vention bouquet in the Shoreham
Hotel.
The scientist said there is mo
reason to think the f1uoride will not
be as effective in toothpaste as it is
administered topically to the teeth"
Such paste already exists in Hol-
land, he said.
One barrier that would have to be
overcome, however, he said, is that
Food and Drug Administration regu-
lations prohibit using sodium fluoride
because of its poisonous qualities.
Lozenges and pills containing cal
cium f1uoride, which is less toxic,
already are on the market, but this
chemical is not as effective, he
added. DR.. Bibby said he was not
at liberty to name groups working
on the toothpaste projects.
Frowns on Self Treatments.
DR.. Bibby advised against efforts
to make home applications Of the
f1uoride to teeth because of the i'm
portance Of cleaning and reaching
all parts of the teeth with the
substance.
He recommended that the chem
ical be applied to children's teeth
at the ages of 4, 7, 10 and 13. Four
weekly applications should be made
at each age, he said. DR.. Bibby
said other 1O-year projects are under
way in several areas to test the
effect on teeth of very small
amounts of sodium fluoride in
drinking water.
At the same time. DR.. Bibby said
he is very distressed" at reports
that solutions of zine chloride and
potassium ferrocyanide have elm
mated 80 per cent of tooth decay.
DR.. Bibby said he knows of no re-
search or literature extensive enough
to substantiate the reports.
Application Methods Studied.
DR.. Bibby said he is optimistic
about developing better methods of
applying the sodium f1uoride and
that study is now under way to
"analyze more carefully" the pre-
ventive action. He explained the
fuoride combines with the pure
phosphate in teeth, making the
phosphates insoluble in bacterial
acids. Thee acids, nearly always
present, are thought to be respon-
sible for the decaying action, he said.
Meanwhile, DR.. Edward D. Letter,
president of the District Dental
Society, said he believes most WASH
ington dentists now are offering the
fporide treatment to private
patients. While some dentists have
given the treatment to adults on
request, most have been advocating
it for children under Is, he said.