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Total fluoride intake in children aged 22-35 months in four Colombian cities

Angela M Franco1, Stefanía Martignon, Alexandra Saldarriaga

  • 1Research Center, CES University School of Dentistry, Calle 10 A No. 22-4, Medellín, Columbia. amfranco@ces.edu.co

Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology
|January 12, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Colombian children aged 22-25 months exceeded optimal daily fluoride intake, primarily from toothpaste. Low socioeconomic status (SES) children showed higher intake, necessitating guidance on appropriate toothpaste use and brushing techniques for young children.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Assessing fluoride intake in young children is crucial for preventing dental caries while avoiding fluorosis.
  • Socioeconomic status (SES) may influence dietary habits and access to oral hygiene products, potentially affecting fluoride exposure.
  • Understanding fluoride sources and intake levels in toddlers is essential for public health recommendations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine total fluoride intake from food, beverages, and toothpaste in 22-25-month-old children.
  • To compare fluoride intake between children of low and high socioeconomic status (SES) in major Colombian cities.
  • To identify the primary sources contributing to total fluoride intake in this age group.

Main Methods:

  • Employed the duplicate plate method and analysis of recovered toothpaste over a 3-day period.
  • Utilized microdiffusion techniques for accurate fluoride concentration analysis.
  • Collected data on food, beverages, and toothpaste consumption patterns.

Main Results:

  • Mean daily fluoride intake varied across cities, with Medellin and Bogota showing higher levels in low-SES children.
  • Toothpaste constituted approximately 70% of total fluoride intake, followed by food (24%) and beverages (<6%).
  • Low-SES children in three cities exhibited higher fluoride intake (0.11-0.21 mg F/kg bw/day) compared to high-SES children (0.06-0.09 mg F/kg bw/day).

Conclusions:

  • Mean total daily fluoride intake in children from three Colombian cities surpassed the 'optimal range'.
  • Health authorities should advocate for appropriate use of fluoridated toothpaste, particularly discouraging 1500 ppm F for children under 6.
  • Educational campaigns for parents and oral health professionals on proper toothbrushing are recommended to manage fluoride intake effectively.
Abstract

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