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Limited knowledge is available on total fluoride exposure, excretion and retention in infants, despite the first year of human life being the critical period for dental development and risk of dental fluorosis. This study investigated total daily fluoride intake (TDFI), excretion (TDFE) and retention (TDFR) in infants living in fluoridated and non-fluoridated water areas at pre- and post-weaning stages of development. Healthy infants, aged 0–12 months, were recruited and their TDFI (mg/kg body weight (BW) per d), from diet and toothpaste ingestion, was assessed over a 3-d period using a dietary diary and tooth-brushing questionnaire. TDFE (mg/kg BW per d) was estimated by collecting 48-h urine and faeces. TDFR (mg/kg BW per d) was estimated by subtracting TDFE from TDFI. A total of forty-seven infants completed the study: sixteen at pre-weaning and thirty-one at post-weaning stages, with a mean age of 3·4 and 10·0 months, respectively. TDFI was lower in the non-fluoridated area (P <0·001) and at the pre-weaning stage (P =0·002) but higher in formula-fed infants (P <0·001). TDFE was mainly affected by type of feeding, with higher excretion in formula-fed infants (P <0·001). TDFR was lower in the non-fluoridated area (P <0·001) and at the pre-weaning stage (P <0·001) but higher in formula-fed infants (P =0·001). In conclusion, a relatively large proportion of fluoride intake is retained in the body in weaned infants. This is an important consideration in fluoride-based prevention programmes, with goals to maximise caries prevention while minimising the risk of dental fluorosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluoridated toothpaste is effective for dental caries control, yet may be a risk factor for dental fluorosis. This study aimed to quantify fluoride ingestion from toothpaste by children and to investigate the effects of age, gender, and social class on the amount of fluoride ingested per toothbrushing session. Sixty-one children, 4-6 yr of age, were recruited: 38 were from low socio-economic ( LSE) areas of Newcastle, UK, and 23 were from high socio-economic ( HSE) areas of Newcastle, UK. All expectorated saliva, rinse water (if used), and residual toothpaste were collected after brushing at home and were analysed for fluoride. Of the children, 74% and 69% from HSE and LSE areas, respectively, claimed that they brushed twice per day. The mean ( SD) weight of toothpaste dispensed was 0.67 (0.36) g. The mean (SD) amount of fluoride ingested per toothbrushing session and per day was 17.0 (14.7) and 29.3 (32.8) μg kg−1 of body weight, respectively. Daily fluoride intake per kilogram of body weight did not differ significantly between children from LSE and HSE areas. Fluoride intake per toothbrushing session was significantly influenced by weight of toothpaste, its fluoride concentration, and the child's age. Whilst the average amount of toothpaste used per toothbrushing session was more than twice the recommended amount (of 0.25 g), only one child had a daily fluoride intake that exceeded the tolerable upper intake level of 0.1 mg kg−1 of body weight for this age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maguire A, Omid N, Abuhaloob L, Moynihan PJ, Zohoori FV. Fluoride content of Ready-to-Feed (RTF) infant food and drinks in the UK. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2012; 40: 26-36. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract - Background: The level of Fluoride exposure needed to cause dental fluorosis is not known precisely. An awareness of total F intake from all sources, especially during the critical stages of dental development during infancy and early childhood, is important in preventing the development of dental fluorosis. Objectives: The aim of the study was to measure F content of ready-to-feed (RTF) infant drinks and foods in the UK. Methods: In total, 122 infant foods were analysed for F concentrations, in triplicate, indirectly by an acid diffusion method and 25 infant drinks analysed directly using an F-ion-selective electrode after addition of TISABIII. Results: The median (range) F concentration was 0.110 (0.030-0.221) μg/g for breakfast cereals, 0.112 (0.040-1.200) μg/g for savoury meals, 0.056 (0.030-0.379) μg/g for desserts, 0.044 (0.020-0.191) μg/g for fruits, 0.196 (0.040-0.397) μg/g for baked goods, 0.069 (0.050-0.148) μg/ml for juices, 0.016 (0.009-0.030) μg/ml for milks and 0.041 (0.022-0.069) μg/ml for waters. The median (range) F concentration of all RTF infant foods and drinks by recommended age of consumption was 0.029 (0.010-0.245), 0.088 (0.020-0.500), 0.108 (0.100-0.510) and 0.108 (0.060-1.200) μg/g for infants from birth, 4+ month, 6+ month and 10+ month, respectively. Conclusion: The results suggest that the F concentrations of UK-marketed RTF infant foods, drinks and formula milk are not sufficiently high to be a risk factor for dental fluorosis, if consumption is within the limits recommended for infants and young children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]