Abstract

HERNANDEZ-GUERRERO, Juan Carlos et al. Fluoride concentration in toothpastes of the Mexican market. Bol. Med. Hosp. Infant. Mex. [online]. 2005, vol.62, n.1, pp.19-24. ISSN 1665-1146.

Introduction. The most widely used method for applying fluoride (F-) topically is the fluoridated toothpaste. Its early use in large quantities is a risk factor for dental fluorosis. Objective: to determine the actual concentration of F in toothpastes sold in the Mexican market. Material and methods. Sixty-five different commercial toothpastes were analysed using the F ion-specific electrode technique. Results. The range of the F content was from 0 to 2 053 ppm. Of them, 16.92% were toothpastes for infant use (range= 0-1153 ppmF-). Mexican toothpastes had a mean of 879 ± 599.2 ppmF and imported toothpastes have a mean of 619.7 ppmF-; 54.5% of the infantile toothpastes presented F concentrations above 730 ppm and in 40% of the analyzed products, annotation on F content was found. Conclusions. Our results showed a wide variation in F concentration and suggest the need to implement policies to regulate the F concentration in these products. It is important that all the manufactured dentifrices show in the label and package the total F content of the product and the recommended doses will be printed, in order to prevent dental fluorosis.

Keywords : Toothpaste; dental fluorosis; fluoride ion; dentifrice; ion-specific electrode.

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