Fluoride content in children’s dentifrices marketed in Lima, Peru

Abstract The aim of the present study was to determine the concentration of total fluoride (TF) and total soluble fluoride (TSF) in children’s dentifrices marketed in the city of Lima, Peru. Three samples of 23 dentifrices (4 without fluoride and 19 with fluoride) were purchased in different pharmacies in Lima, Peru. The TF and TSF concentrations found in the dentifrices were determined by ion-selective electrode, expressed in ppm F (μg F/g of dentifrice). The TF concentration in the majority of the fluoride toothpastes matched that shown on the label, except for one declared as 1450 ppm F by the manufacturer, whereas only 515.1 ppm F was found. The concentration of TSF found in the fluoride toothpastes ranged from 457.5 to 1134.8 ppm F. All the dentifrices were formulated with silica, but one also presented calcium carbonate. In conclusion, 83% of the children’s dentifrices marketed in Lima, Peru, were fluoridated, but only 53% contained a TSF concentration greater than 1000 ppm F, the minimum concentration required to provide an anticaries effect.

摘要 本研究旨在测定秘鲁利马市市售儿童牙膏中总氟（total fluoride, TF）与总可溶性氟（total soluble fluoride, TSF）的含量。研究人员从秘鲁利马的不同药店采购了3组共23款儿童牙膏样品，其中4款不含氟化物，19款含氟化物。采用离子选择电极法（ion-selective electrode）测定牙膏中的总氟与总可溶性氟浓度，结果以氟浓度单位ppm F（即每克牙膏中氟的微克数，μg F/g）表示。检测结果显示，多数含氟牙膏的总氟含量与产品标签标注值相符，但有一款标注为1450 ppm F的样品实际检出值仅为515.1 ppm F。含氟牙膏的总可溶性氟浓度范围为457.5~1134.8 ppm F。所有受试牙膏均以二氧化硅作为磨料，仅一款额外添加了碳酸钙。综上，秘鲁利马市市售儿童牙膏中83%为含氟配方，但仅53%的产品总可溶性氟浓度达到防龋功效所需的最低阈值1000 ppm F。