ESTIMATION OF FLUORIDE ABSORPTION FROM SWALLOWED FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTES

Eight adults ingested five different toothpastes with and without 1,000 ppm (1 μg/g) fluoride added as NaF or Na2PO3F. The systemic fluoride absorption was estimated by comparing the areas under salivary fluoride concentration curves produced after the toothpaste ingestion. Of the toothpastes investigated - chalk, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, silica or alumina with sodium monofluorophosphate, and silica with sodium fluoride -, the fluoride absorption was found to be statistically significantly lower only from the dicalcium phosphate dihydrate toothpaste. Measuring changing fluoride levels in saliva appears to be an acceptable non-invasive technique for following systemic fluoride absorption. © 1990 S. Karger AG, Basel.