Amount of fluoride ingested from toothpaste by infants in Venezuela

Objective: A longitudinal clinical study was conducted to determine the amount of fluoride ingested from a fluoride dentifrice among children during a time period of one year. Methods: Eighty-seven children were selected from 10 different daycare centers. Criteria of selection included: children between 15 and 34 months, apparently healthy, and with a consent form signed by the parent. Questionnaires assessed tooth-brushing frequency and fluoride dentifrice use. To determine fluoride intake from dentifrice, the toothbrush was weighed, dentifrice was squeezed onto the brush by the parents and the brush with dentifrice was re-weight. Weight of the brush with and without dentifrice gave the amount of dentifrice used (±0.01 gr). After brushing, the toothbrush and any related expectorate and rinses, combined with any spillage during the toothbrushing procedure were collected. Dentifrices and recovered solution samples were analyzed for fluoride using the microdiffusion method of Taves (1968). Results: The frequency of toothbrushing increased 3.3 times per day between the first and second visits. At baseline, 29 (22.9%) out of 87 children evaluated, brushed their teeth, whereas at the second visit, 79 (90.8%) used the fluoridated toothpaste. No changes in the amount used and F concentration of the toothpaste were observed between the first and second visit. Unexpectedly, the amount of F ingested by the older children was significantly higher (p<0.001) than the amount ingested by young children. Conclusions: The significant increment in the fluoride intake from toothpaste may be due to the higher toothbrush frequency which constituted a clear risk for the developing of dental fluorosis. This study was sponsored by the CDCH and Colgate-Palmolive, Company.