Introduction and objective:

Toothpastes should contain chemically soluble fluoride to have anti-caries efficacy. This study aimed at determining how much of the total fluoride (TF) concentration in the five top-selling children/family Colombian-toothpaste brands corresponds to total chemically soluble fluoride (TSF).

Materials and methods:

a convenience sample of three tubes of each of the following five toothpaste brands were obtained from three different chain stores, one-per-store, in five Colombian cities (n=3/brand/city): Colgate-Smiles-6+, Kolynos-Super-Blanco, Fortident-Cuatriacción, Colgate-Triple-Acción, Fluocardent. TF (sum of all toothpaste’s fluoride) and TSF (toothpaste’s chemically soluble fluoride) concentrations were determined in each fresh toothpaste sample (before expiry date) using a standardized ion-specific electrode direct-technique protocol. TF concentration was compared with the manufacturers’ declared concentration. The difference between TF and TSF’s concentrations purchased in different cities was compared with a one-way ANOVA (5%).

Results:

Most toothpastes’ TF concentration complied with what was declared in the label. One toothpaste had a non-compatible fluoride/abrasive fluoride formulation and TSF < TF; however, it still complied with the minimum TSF requirement to exert a caries-preventive effect (>1000 ppm). Toothpastes’ TF and TSF concentrations did not differ between cities (p>0.05).

Conclusion:

Fresh samples of highly distributed toothpaste brands sold in five Colombian-cities contain chemically available fluoride concentrations with the potential to control and prevent dental caries.

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