Ingestion of fluoride from dentifrices by children aged 12 to 24 months

The increase of dental fluorosis is largely imputable to the ingestion of dietary fluoride supplements and fluoride toothpastes. However, the toothbrushing habits of very young children is poorly documented. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the toothbrushing habits of 12- to 24-month-old children and to estimate the quantity of fluoride ingested during toothbrushing. Fifty-nine parents completed a questionnaire regarding the toothcleaning habits of their children. When a dentifrice was used, a dental hygienist scheduled a meeting with the parents in order to observe and measure the amount of toothpaste used. Of the 36 parents who cleaned the teeth of their children, 69% used a toothpaste. Furthermore 20% of the children ingested more than 0.25 mg of fluoride per day by toothbrushing alone. Therefore the practice of toothbrushing and the use of fluoridated dentifrices are widespread among 12- to 24-month old children, and the amount of fluoride ingested from toothpaste could constitute a substantial proportion of the total daily intake of fluoride. Several measures are suggested to enhance the safe use of fluoride dentifrices.