Salivary fluoride concentrations in children with various systemic fluoride exposures

Parotid ductal saliva fluoride concentrations were determined as an indication of baseline plasma fluoride levels in three groups of children. Group I had been exposed to drinking water containing less than 0.1 ppm F and had not received fluoride supplements. Group II had consumed optimally fluoridated water (1 ppm) since infancy. Group III had consumed water with less than 0.1 ppm F but had received a daily fluoride supplement for at least two years. The mean salivary fluoride concentrations in Groups II and III were significantly higher than Group I, but were not significantly different from each other. The findings suggest that peak plasma fluoride concentrations achieved following a daily fluoride supplement dose are higher than previously thought.