Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.15644/asc60/2/7
Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of Fluoride Toothpastes in Buccal Cells
Jasen Vladislavić
orcid.org/0009-0009-1510-7912
; Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital Center of Split, Croatia, & University of Zagreb School of Dental Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
*
Antonija Tadin
; Department of Restorative Dental Medicine and Endodontics, Study of Dental Medicine, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia
Davor Želježić
; Division of Toxicology, Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia (In memoriam)
Ivana Šutej
orcid.org/0000-0001-7654-0079
; Department of Pharmacology, University of Zagreb School of Dental Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Krešimir Bašić
orcid.org/0000-0002-9854-5708
; Department of Pharmacology, University of Zagreb School of Dental Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Nada Zorica Vladislavić
orcid.org/0000-0001-7946-9853
; Department of Dental Medicine, Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Center of Split, Croatia
Kristina Peroš
; Department of Pharmacology, University of Zagreb School of Dental Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Objectives: This study investigated whether toothpastes containing different fluoride compounds influence cytotoxic and genotoxic alterations in buccal mucosal cells, with particular attention to the
type of fluoride, the presence of fluoride itself, and the duration of exposure. Materials and Methods:
Eighty-eight participants were randomly assigned to four parallel groups: a control group using fluoride-free toothpaste and three intervention groups using formulations containing sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, or amine fluoride. Buccal cell samples were obtained at baseline (T0), after 30 days (T1), and after 45 days (T2), and evaluated using the buccal micronucleus cytome assay to quantify nuclear abnormalities and cytotoxic markers. Results: All fluoride-containing toothpastes led to higher frequencies of micronuclei, nuclear buds, and “broken egg” cells at T1 and T2 compared with the control group (P ≤ 0.001). Amine fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate produced sustained increases in cytogenetic markers, including nuclear buds (AmF: P = 0.013; NaMFP: P ≤ 0.001) and “broken egg“ cells (AmF: P ≤ 0.001; NaMFP: P = 0.004), while sodium fluoride demonstrated a slower, progressive increase in “broken egg“ cells (P = 0.036). Conclusion: The findings suggest that fluoride-based toothpastes may modulate cytogenetic responses in buccal epithelial cells, and that these effects differ according to the fluoride compound and exposure duration. The findings should be interpreted with caution due to study limitations, and further research is needed to clarify the long-term biological consequences of repeated fluoride exposure in oral hygiene.
Keywords
Mouth Mucosa; Fluoride Treatment; Cytotoxins; Micronucleus Tests; buccal mucosal cells; fluoride toothpastes; sodium fluoride; sodium monofluorophosphate; amine fluoride; cytotoxicity; genotoxicity
Hrčak ID:
347619
URI
Publication date:
13.6.2026.
Visits: 203 *