Evaluation of fluoride uptake by enamel in children from fluoride dentifrices

Fluoride dentifrices are well accepted for their caries preventive effects. Although it is generally accepted that the presence of fluoride in the enamel protects teeth against carious attack, at the same time, there is some concern that ingestion of fluoride from toothpastes may substantially contribute to the total intake of this element. The present study was undertaken to clinically evaluate the fluoride uptake by human enamel after the use of lower concentrations of fluoride dentifrices and compare their potency to higher concentration in increasing the uptake of fluoride by enamel. Enamel biopsy was conducted on first permanent molars of 100 school children, aged 6-8 years before brushing and at intervals of one hour, 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 12 weeks following brushing with different concentrations of fluoride dentifrices. The fluoride content of the enamel biopsy samples were estimated using the Orion microprocessor ion analyser and by taking into consideration the enamel biopsy mass and depth of the etch. The results of the present study suggest that low fluoride concentration dentifrices provide similar fluoride uptake by enamel when compared with that of higher concentrations.