Fluoride content in children's dentifrices marketed in Lima, Peru.

The aim of the present study was to determine the concentration of total fluoride (TF) and total soluble fluoride (TSF) in children's dentifrices marketed in the city of Lima, Peru. Three samples of 23 dentifrices (4 without fluoride and 19 with fluoride) were purchased in different pharmacies in Lima, Peru. The TF and TSF concentrations found in the dentifrices were determined by ion-selective electrode, expressed in ppm F (µg F/g of dentifrice). The TF concentration in the majority of the fluoride toothpastes matched that shown on the label, except for one declared as 1450 ppm F by the manufacturer, whereas only 515.1 ppm F was found. The concentration of TSF found in the fluoride toothpastes ranged from 457.5 to 1134.8 ppm F. All the dentifrices were formulated with silica, but one also presented calcium carbonate. In conclusion, 83% of the children's dentifrices marketed in Lima, Peru, were fluoridated, but only 53% contained a TSF concentration greater than 1000 ppm F, the minimum concentration required to provide an anticaries effect.

Fluoride content in children's dentifrices marketed in Lima, Peru

Abstract The aim of the present study was to determine the concentration of total fluoride (TF) and total soluble fluoride (TSF) in children's dentifrices marketed in the city of Lima, Peru. Three samples of 23 dentifrices (4 without fluoride and 19 with fluoride) were purchased in different pharmacies in Lima, Peru. The TF and TSF concentrations found in the dentifrices were determined by ion-selective electrode, expressed in ppm F (μg F/g of dentifrice). The TF concentration in the majority of the fluoride toothpastes matched that shown on the label, except for one declared as 1450 ppm F by the manufacturer, whereas only 515.1 ppm F was found. The concentration of TSF found in the fluoride toothpastes ranged from 457.5 to 1134.8 ppm F. All the dentifrices were formulated with silica, but one also presented calcium carbonate. In conclusion, 83% of the children's dentifrices marketed in Lima, Peru, were fluoridated, but only 53% contained a TSF concentration greater than 1000 ppm F, the minimum concentration required to provide an anticaries effect.

Evaluación de fluoruro residual en saliva después de la aplicación de barnices fluorados al 2.26 por ciento: estudio comparativo / An evaluation of the residual fluoride in saliva after applying 2.26 per cent fluoride varnishes: a comparative study

El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar la cantidad de fluoruro (F) residual en saliva después de la aplicación de barniz de fluoruro desodio al 5 por ciento y de barniz fluorado con fosfato tricálcico al 5 por ciento en niños de 2 a 5 años de edad. Se recolectó la saliva no estimulada de 24 niños que tenían acceso a sal fluorada diariamente y utilizaban dentífricos infantiles conteniendo 550 ppm F. La primera toma de muestrasalival fue colectada como basal y las siguientes fueron tomadas en diferentes intervalos de tiempo luego de realizar la aplicación del barnizfluorado (15; 30; 60 minutos y 24; 48; 72; 96; 168 horas). Un total de 216 muestras fueron obtenidas, siendo 96 muestras de barniz de Duraphat®, 96 muestras de barniz de ClinproTM WV y 24 muestras muestras basales. Los análisis de laboratorio fueron realizadosen el departamento de Bioquímica de la Facultad de Odontología de Baurú (FOB), Universidad de Sao Paulo. Un electrodo Orión 9409 y un microelectrodo acoplados a un potenciómetro Orion EA 940 se utilizaron para analizar las muestras previa difusión de las muestrascon el método de Taves. La concentración de iones de flúor mostró diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ambos productos desde las 24 horas (p<0.001), esta característica se repite a las 48 (p=0.003); 96 (p<0.001) y 168 horas (p<0.001). Se utilizó el análisisestadístico de Shapiro Wilks y T de Student. Ambos barnices mostraron un incremento de fluoruro residual en saliva durante los 15; 30 y 60 minutos, sin embargo, posteriormente a estos tiempos, ambos muestran niveles no significativamente diferentes al basal.

The aim of this study was compared the amount of residual fluoride after application of sodium fluoride varnish 5% and application offluoride varnish with phosphate tricalcium 5% in children from 2 to 5 years old. Unstimulated saliva was collected of 24 children who hadaccess to fluoridate salt daily and used children´s tooth pastes containing 550ppm F. The first salivary sample was collected as a base lineand the following were taken at different intervals after making the application of fluoride varnish (15; 30; 60 minutes; 24; 48; 72; 96;168 hours).Children were grouped in two groups according of type of varnish containing fluoride going to be applied. A total of 216samples were obtained, 96 samples from Duraphat® and 96 samples from ClinproTM WV 3M ESPE. The lab analyzes wereconducted in the Department of Biochemistry at the Faculty of Dentistry, Bauru (FOB), University of Sao Paulo. An Orion 9409electrode and a microelectrode coupled to a potentiometer Orion EA 940 analyzed the samples prior dissemination of samples with themethod of work. The fluoride concentration was statistically significant after 24 (p<0.001); 48 (p=0.003); 96 (p<0.001) y 168 hours(p<0.001) for both products. We used Shapiro Wilks and T student test for statistical analysis. Both products showed an increased inresidual fluoride in saliva during the 15; 30 and 60 minutes, however, both showed not differences that baseline levels.

Caries management with fluoride agents.

Dental caries is the single most common, chronic oral disease of childhood. It is progressive and cumulative, and becomes more complex over time. The Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health revealed that more than 51 million school hours are lost each year as a result of dental problems. Contemporary caries management philosophy has changed from the traditional surgical approach to a medical model that emphasizes prevention. Among various strategies for caries prevention or reduction, fluoride therapy has been highly promoted. Various in-office and over-the-counter fluoride products are available for caries prevention. Dental professionals should identify and assess the caries risk level of patients and optimize the use of fluorides in caries management. Since multiple sources of fluoride exposure exist, a coordinated approach to fluoride delivery is essential.

Acute toxicity of ingested fluoride.

This chapter discusses the characteristics and treatment of acute fluoride toxicity as well as the most common sources of overexposure, the doses that cause acute toxicity, and factors that can influence the clinical outcome. Cases of serious systemic toxicity and fatalities due to acute exposures are now rare, but overexposures causing toxic signs and symptoms are not. The clinical course of systemic toxicity from ingested fluoride begins with gastric signs and symptoms, and can develop with alarming rapidity. Treatment involves minimizing absorption by administering a solution containing calcium, monitoring and managing plasma calcium and potassium concentrations, acid-base status, and supporting vital functions. Approximately 30,000 calls to US poison control centers concerning acute exposures in children are made each year, most of which involve temporary gastrointestinal effects, but others require medical treatment. The most common sources of acute overexposures today are dental products - particularly dentifrices because of their relatively high fluoride concentrations, pleasant flavors, and their presence in non-secure locations in most homes. For example, ingestion of only 1.8 ounces of a standard fluoridated dentifrice (900-1,100 mg/kg) by a 10-kg child delivers enough fluoride to reach the 'probably toxic dose' (5 mg/kg body weight). Factors that may influence the clinical course of an overexposure include the chemical compound (e.g. NaF, MFP, etc.), the age and acid-base status of the individual, and the elapsed time between exposure and the initiation of treatment. While fluoride has well-established beneficial dental effects and cases of serious toxicity are now rare, the potential for toxicity requires that fluoride-containing materials be handled and stored with the respect they deserve.

Fluoride in dental erosion.

Dental erosion develops through chronic exposure to extrinsic/intrinsic acids with a low pH. Enamel erosion is characterized by a centripetal dissolution leaving a small demineralized zone behind. In contrast, erosive demineralization in dentin is more complex as the acid-induced mineral dissolution leads to the exposure of collagenous organic matrix, which hampers ion diffusion and, thus, reduces further progression of the lesion. Topical fluoridation inducing the formation of a protective layer on dental hard tissue, which is composed of CaF(2) (in case of conventional fluorides like amine fluoride or sodium fluoride) or of metal-rich surface precipitates (in case of titanium tetrafluoride or tin-containing fluoride products), appears to be most effective on enamel. In dentin, the preventive effect of fluorides is highly dependent on the presence of the organic matrix. In situ studies have shown a higher protective potential of fluoride in enamel compared to dentin, probably as the organic matrix is affected by enzymatical and chemical degradation as well as by abrasive influences in the clinical situation. There is convincing evidence that fluoride, in general, can strengthen teeth against erosive acid damage, and high-concentration fluoride agents and/or frequent applications are considered potentially effective approaches in preventing dental erosion. The use of tin-containing fluoride products might provide the best approach for effective prevention of dental erosion. Further properly designed in situ or clinical studies are recommended in order to better understand the relative differences in performance of the various fluoride agents and formulations.

Use of fluorides in dental caries management.

Fluoride is commonly and widely used to prevent and even arrest caries. The clinical effects of fluorides depend on the chemical compounds utilized and the methods used to apply the fluoride ion to the surface of the tooth. Fluorosis has been reported in conjunction with increased doses of fluoride. A coordinated approach to fluoride delivery is essential to avoid the risk of fluorosis.

Effects of different kinds of fluorides on enolase and ATPase activity of a fluoride-sensitive and fluoride-resistant Streptococcus mutans strain.

Enolase and ATPase are sensitive to fluoride. It is unclear whether this sensitivity differs for F-sensitive and F-resistant cells or for different types of fluoride. Permeabilized cells of the fluoride-sensitive strain Streptococcus mutans C180-2 and its fluoride-resistant mutant strain C180-2 FR were preincubated at pH 7 or 4 with NaF, the amine fluorides Olaflur and Dectaflur and amine chloride controls. After preincubations, enolase and ATPase activities of the cells were assessed. Enolase activity was more inhibited after preincubation at pH 7 with NaF than with Olaflur. Amine chloride stimulated, although not with statistical significance, the enolase activity of both strains. After preincubation at pH 4 the enolases were strongly inactivated, but the fluoride-resistant strain's enolase to a lesser extent. The results suggested that amine acts to protect enolase activity against the detrimental low pH effect. Gene sequencing showed that the enolase genes of the fluoride-resistant and fluoride-sensitive strain were identical. ATPase activity was not reduced after NaF preincubation at either pH 7 or pH 4. The amine fluorides and their chloride controls in the preincubation mixture reduced the ATPase activity significantly at both pH values. In conclusion, our results showed that preincubation with amine fluoride did not inhibit enolase activity more effectively than NaF. The amine part of the molecule may protect enolase activity against preincubations at low pH. ATPase activity was not inhibited by NaF preincubation but was significantly inhibited after preincubation with amine fluorides and amine chlorides.

Suppression of salivary Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli by topical caries preventive agents.

Reduction of cariogenic bacteria, especially salivary Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli is a valuable clinical procedure that in many ways alleviates implementation of targeted caries preventive procedures in the entire population. The aim of this study was to investigate the caries preventive values of certain preventive procedures in in vivo conditions. Four groups of subjects, each with 18 children aged from 4-5 and 10-12 years (n = 72) were treated with different caries preventive agent (aminfluoride solution, Proxyt paste, chewing gum containing xylitol and fluoride and chlorhexidine solution). During a period of two months five control measurements for number of salivary Streptococcus mutans (SM) and lactobacilli (LB) were performed. At the end of the study the best result in the reduction of the bacteria was achieved by the application of Proxyt paste and daily use of chewing gum (p < 0.001). In patients treated with this preventive procedure the number of SM was reduced by 1 class and LB to < 10(4) CFU/ml saliva after two months of study. The results obtained indicate that professional teeth cleaning and use of chewing gum with xylitol and fluorides on daily basis can be very effective protocol for cariogenic bacteria reduction and in the individual caries prevention.

Fluoride varnishes: should we be using them?

Fluoride varnishes are fast becoming the standard of care as topical fluoride treatments. Fluoride varnishes still await approval from the FDA for use as caries preventive agents. In the meantime, their use for such purposes is considered "off-label." This article highlights the efficacy of fluoride varnishes as caries preventive agents and introduces some of the commercially available fluoride varnishes to the reader. As more clinical trials in the US unravel the efficacy of these agents, there is little doubt that fluoride varnishes will become an integral part of our preventive armamentarium in the battle against dental caries.

[What fluoride compound has the greatest effect in the fight against dental caries?]. / Quel est le composé fluoré le plus indiqué dans la lutte contre la carie dentaire?

There is a wide range of fluoride compounds that can be used in the prevention of caries. Mineral salts, monofluorophosphate or amino fluoride are most currently used and their efficacy is supported by scientific evidence. Next to the prevention of mineral dissolution, some fluoride compounds have more pronounced antimicrobial properties. Clinically, all fluoride compounds are equivalent if they are presented in a compatible formulation.