Past Fluoride Exposure From Ingested Toothpaste Extrapolated From Younger Siblings And Fluorosis Status

B.S Tan,I.A Razak,L.C Foo

doi:10.22452/adum.vol11no1.5

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess the association between past fluoride exposures from ingested toothpaste and current fluorosis manifestations in 10- 11 year old index subjects. Fluorosis was assessed with the Dean?s Index in 1343 10-11 year old index subjects. Two hundred index subjects who had younger 4-5 year old siblings were sub sampled and fluoride exposures from ingested toothpaste in their younger siblings (proxy subjects) were determined. The values for the fluoride ingested per brushing of the proxy subjects were utilised together with past frequency of toothbrushing of index subjects to extrapolate on the past exposure of index subjects. The mean extrapolated past fluoride exposure from ingestion of toothpaste was highly variable; 671.7 ug ? 739.3 ug (sem= 56.9). It was higher in the subjects with fluorosis (697.3 ug) than in those without fluorosis (646.89 ug) but differences were not of statistical significance. This approach of extrapolation has not been reported elsewhere and need to be validated. The implications of the present methodology to estimate past fluoride exposure is discussed.

Highlights

Fluorosis is a condition whereby opacities ranging from thin white opaque lines to coalesced blotchy cloudy areas occur in the enamel as a result of exposures to fluoride during enamel development
The aim of the study was to relate past fluoride exposures from ingested toothpaste to current fluorosis manifestations in 10-11 year old index subjects
Past fluoride exposure from ingested toothpaste extrapolated from younger siblings and fluorosis status 31 iii) estimate past intake of fluoride from toothpaste ingested at the time of enamel formation of index subjects by extrapolating from (ii) above and iv) relating this past exposure (iii) to fluorosis manifestation (i)

Summary

Introduction

Fluorosis is a condition whereby opacities ranging from thin white opaque lines to coalesced blotchy cloudy areas occur in the enamel as a result of exposures to fluoride during enamel development. The greater the fluoride intake, the more severe are the clinical manifestations of fluorosis [1,2]. Fluoride intake can come from food, drinking water, beverages and fluoride containing dental and pharmaceutical products. In the late 1990’s there was a spate of antifluoride sentiments in Malaysia. Consumer groups expressed concerns of possible excessive fluoride exposure of individuals, especially children, including that which may result from ingestion of fluoridated toothpaste.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion