Dietary Fluoride Intake by Children: When to Use a Fluoride Toothpaste?

Adriano Casaglia, Maria Antonietta Cassini, Roberta Condò, Flavia Iaculli and Loredana Cerroni
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Adriano Casaglia: Department of Clinical Science and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
Maria Antonietta Cassini: Department of Clinical Science and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
Roberta Condò: Department of Clinical Science and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
Flavia Iaculli: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Science, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Caserta 6, 00161 Rome, Italy
Loredana Cerroni: Department of Clinical Science and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-14

Abstract: Fluoride is recommended for its cariostatic effect, but excessive fluoride intake may have health risks. Increased prevalence of dental fluorosis in areas with low fluoride content in drinking water has been attributed to the inappropriate excessive intake of fluoride supplements (tablets and drops) and toothpaste ingestion. The aim of the present study was to estimate the fluoride intake and the risk of fluorosis in children (6 months–6 years) in the Castelli Romani area (province of Rome, Italy), which is volcanic, therefore with a higher concentration of fluorine. Measurements of the fluoride content in drinking water, mineral waters, vegetables and commercial toothpaste for children were performed. The fluoride concentrations of all samples were determined using a Fluoride Ion Selective Electrode (GLP 22, Crison, Esp). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Differences between samples were determined by Student’s t -test. The fluoride content in tap water samples collected from public sources averaged from 0.35 to 1.11 ppm. The Pavona area showed the highest content of fluoride with respect to the others ( p ? 0.05). The fluoride content in mineral water samples averaged from 0.07 to 1.50 ppm. The fluoride content of some vegetables showed increased mean values when compared to control vegetables ( p ? 0.05). Within the limitations of the present study, considerations should be made when prescribing fluoride toothpaste for infants (6 months–4 years) in the areas with high fluoride content, because involuntary ingestion is consistent.

Keywords: fluoride intake; dental fluorosis in children; drinking water; fluoride toothpaste for children; fluoride in food (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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