Optimal fluoride levels in pediatric toothpastes: A review of the literature

Abstract

Aim:Through this literature review, we seek to determine the optimal level of fluoride present in pediatric toothpastes, identifying the recommended amount according to scientific literature, in addition to evaluate the effects of fluoride on children's dental health and its effectiveness in prevention of caries and also identify the risks of excessive fluoride exposure. Materials and methods: Searches were carried out for articles published in the last 5 years in electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Scielo, ScienceDirect, UpToDate, Google Academic. The search used a combination of the following keywords: "toothpaste" AND "pediatrics" AND "dosage" AND "fluoride". Results: 14,118 abstracts were registered: 1,407 from PubMed, 1,043 from Scopus, 355 from ScienceDirect, 10,200 from Google Academic, 913 from Scielo, 200 from UpToDate. After reviewing the abstracts, 14,095 records were removed according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, leaving 31 full-text articles for examination. Finally, 19 full-text articles were included and evaluated in this review. Conclusion: The presence of adequate concentrations of fluoride in toothpastes has a positive influence in oral health, especially on the prevention of dental caries. Several reviewed studies reveal that the optimal amount of fluoride in pediatric toothpastes should be greater than 1000 ppm but not exceed 1500 ppm to obtain the maximum anti-caries effect and prevent adverse effects such as dental fluorosis.