Urinary fluoride excretion in children exposed to fluoride toothpaste and to different water fluoride levels in a tropical area of Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the urinary fluoride excretion of 2- to 7-year-old children exposed to different water fluoride concentrations in the city of Catolé do Rocha, PB, Brazil. Forty-two children were allocated to 3 groups according to the concentration of fluoride in the water: G1 (n=10; 0.5-1.0 ppm F), G2 (n=17; 1.1-1.5 ppm F) and G3 (n= 15; >1.51 ppm F). The study was carried out in two 1-week phases with 1-month interval between the moments of data collection: in the first phase, the children used a fluoride toothpaste (FT) (1,510 ppm F) for 1 week, whereas in the second phase a non-fluoride toothpaste (NFT) was used. The urine was collected in a 24-h period in each week-phase according to Marthaler's protocol. The urinary fluoride excretion data expressed as mean (SD) in microg/24 h were: G1-FT= 452.9 (290.2); G1-NFT= 435.1 (187.0); G2-FT= 451.4 (224.0); G2-NFT= 430.3 (352.5); G3-FT=592.3 (390.5); and G3-NFT=623.6 (408.7). There was no statistically significant difference between the water fluoride groups, and regardless of the week phase (ANOVA, p>0.05). The use of fluoride toothpaste (1,510 ppmF) did not promote an increase in urinary fluoride excretion. There was a trend, though not significant, as to the increase of urine fluoride concentration in relation to fluoride concentrations in the water. The excretion values suggest that some children are under risk to develop dental fluorosis and information about the appropriate use of fluoride is necessary in this area.

Urinary Fluoride Excretion in 6- to 7-Year-Olds Ingesting Milk Containing 0.5 or 0.9 mg Fluoride

“…In addition, there may be situations when there is no formal systemic fluoridation scheme but there may be concern that a community's total daily F intake, being from a number of sources (e.g. food, water, drinks and toothpaste) may be placing children at risk of developing dental fluorosis Ketley et al, 2004;Forte et al, 2008].…”

Total fluoride intake and excretion in children up to 4 years of age living in fluoridated and non‐fluoridated areas

“…In this age range of young children, there is information in the literature on fluoride intake (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14) and urinary fluoride excretion (15)(16)(17)(18) but only a few studies have assessed body fluoride retention (19)(20)(21). The main reason why only a small number of publications have evaluated fluoride retention is because both intake and excretion data have to be collected on the same day, for the same children.…”

Urinary fluoride excretion after application of fluoride varnish and use of fluoride toothpaste in young children

“…It is generally recognized that tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste is a fundamental cornerstone for the primary prevention of early childhood caries. The procedure is considered as safe from a toxic point of view; studies have shown that exposure and excretion of fluoride are within acceptable limits in areas with and without water fluoridation; however, for young children at risk of developing caries, or children with need of secondary preventive measures, topical fluoride varnish applications are recommended as an evidence‐based procedure. The efficacy and safety of such combined use of topical fluoride products are essential issues that must be monitored.…”