Fluoride concentrations of milk, infant formulae, and soy-based products commercially available in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the fluoride (F) content in commercially available milk formulae in Brazil and to estimate the F intake in children from this source in the first year of life. METHODS: Samples of cow's milk (n = 51), infant formulae (n = 15), powdered milk (n = 13), and soy-based products (n = 4) purchased in Araçatuba (Brazil) had their F content measured using an ion-specific electrode, after hexamethyldisiloxane-facilitated diffusion. Powdered milk and infant formulae were reconstituted with deionized water, while ready-to-drink products were analyzed without any dilution. Using average infant body masses and suggested volumes of formula consumption for infants 1-12 months of age, possible F ingestion per body mass was estimated. Data were analyzed by descriptive analysis. RESULTS: Mean F content ranged from 0.02 to 2.52 mg/L in all samples. None of the cow's milk provided F intake higher than 0.07 mg/kg. However, two infant formulae, one powdered milk, and one soy-milk led to a daily F intake above the suggested threshold for fluorosis when reconstituted with deionized water. Assuming reconstitution of products with tap water at 0.7 ppm F, two infant formulae, five powdered milk, and four soymilks led to daily F intake ranging from 0.108 to 0.851 mg/kg. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the consumption of some brands of infant formulae, powdered milk, and soy-based milk in the first year of age could increase the risk of dental fluorosis, reinforcing the need for periodic surveillance of the F content of foods and beverages typically consumed by young children.

In vitro effect of sodium trimetaphosphate additives to conventional toothpastes on enamel demineralization.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of conventional toothpastes (1100 ppm F) supplemented with sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP) in demineralization. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Blocks of enamel were selected and then divided into seven experimental groups of 12: toothpaste without F and TMP (placebo), toothpaste with 1100 ppm F (1100), and toothpaste with 1100 ppm F supplemented with TMP-1 % (1100 1 % TMP), 3 % (1100 3 % TMP), 4.5 % (1100 4.5 % TMP), 6 % (1100 6 % TMP), and 9 % (1100 9 % TMP). Blocks were subjected to five pH cycles (demineralizing/remineralizing solutions) at 37 °C and treated with toothpaste slurries twice daily, after which the blocks were maintained for 2 days in fresh remineralizing solution. Following treatments, surface hardness (SHf) and cross-sectional hardness were determined for calculating the integrated loss of subsurface hardness (ΔKHN). The fluoride present in the enamel was also measured. RESULTS: The SHf and ΔKHN measurements showed that supplementation with 3 % TMP was the most effective (p < 0.001) and showed greater concentration of F in the enamel (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Addition of 3 % TMP to a conventional toothpaste (1100 ppm F) showed greater efficacy in reducing enamel demineralization. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Fluoride toothpastes containing trimetaphosphate possess good anticaries potential required to reduce the prevalence of dental caries in high-risk patients.