Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 18, 2026

Quantification of Fluoride in Serum, Bone, and Teeth in a Murine Model Using Hexamethyldisiloxane-Facilitated Diffusion and Ion-Selective Electrode Measurements
06:57

Quantification of Fluoride in Serum, Bone, and Teeth in a Murine Model Using Hexamethyldisiloxane-Facilitated Diffusion and Ion-Selective Electrode Measurements

Published on: August 28, 2026

Fluoride in whole saliva, parotid ductal saliva and plasma in children

G M Whitford1, J E Thomas, S M Adair

  • 1Department of Oral Biology, Medical College of Georgia, Atlanta 30912-1210, USA.

Archives of Oral Biology
|October 26, 1999
PubMed

Insights

This study found that parotid saliva fluoride levels accurately estimate plasma fluoride in children aged 5-10. Whole saliva fluoride did not correlate with plasma or parotid levels.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Clinical Chemistry

Background:

  • Salivary fluoride levels are influenced by systemic fluoride exposure.
  • Understanding the relationship between different salivary compartments and plasma fluoride is crucial for monitoring fluoride intake and its effects, especially in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the correlation between fluoride concentrations in whole saliva, parotid ductal saliva, and plasma in children aged 5 to 10 years.
  • To determine if parotid saliva fluoride can serve as a reliable indicator of plasma fluoride levels in this pediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • Collected stimulated whole saliva and parotid ductal saliva samples from 17 children (aged 5-10).
  • Measured fluoride concentrations using a fluoride ion-specific electrode after hexamethyldisiloxane diffusion.
  • Assessed the impact of deionized water rinsing on whole saliva fluoride levels.

Main Results:

  • Deionized water rinsing did not significantly alter whole saliva fluoride concentrations.
  • Whole saliva fluoride levels showed no significant correlation with plasma or parotid ductal saliva fluoride.
  • Parotid saliva fluoride concentrations were strongly and significantly correlated with plasma fluoride concentrations (p < 0.0001), with a proportionality constant of 0.80.

Conclusions:

  • Parotid salivary fluoride concentrations provide a reliable estimation of plasma fluoride concentrations in children aged 5 to 10 years.
  • Whole saliva fluoride is not a suitable biomarker for estimating plasma fluoride levels in this age group.

More Related Videos

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children10:42

Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children

Published on: December 31, 2017

Developing a Salivary Antibody Multiplex Immunoassay to Measure Human Exposure to Environmental Pathogens09:08

Developing a Salivary Antibody Multiplex Immunoassay to Measure Human Exposure to Environmental Pathogens

Published on: September 12, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Salivary Glands and Saliva01:23

Salivary Glands and Saliva

The salivary glands, of which there are three pairs known as the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands, play a crucial role in maintaining oral health and initiating the digestive process. Positioned near the ears, beneath the masseter muscle, the parotid glands secrete saliva into the oral cavity through the parotid duct of Stensen. Meanwhile, the submandibular glands, located on the floor of the mouth, secrete saliva through channels named submandibular ducts. The sublingual glands,...
The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...