In vivo antibacterial effect of tin on the oral microflora.

The antibacterial effect of oral rinses with stannous fluoride and stannous chloride solutions, and of the use of a toothpaste containing stannous fluoride and stannous pyrophosphate was tested by recording the bacterial viable counts on the oral mucous membrane. Stannous chloride had no antibacterial effect, while stannous fluoride drastically reduced the viable counts up to 4 h. Calculations demonstrated that 25% of the tin content in 10 ml rinsing solutions was retained in the mouth, and analyses showed a raised tin level in saliva up to 4 h after rinsing or toothbrushing. It is suggested that most of the retained tin is bound to the oral mucosa.