Patterns of fluoride intake from 36 to 72 months of age.
OBJECTIVE
This paper reports on estimated daily fluoride intake from water by itself, beverages, selected foods, dentifrice, and dietary supplements, both individually and combined (mg and mg F/kg bw), among 785 children in the Iowa Fluoride Study from 36 to 72 months of age.


METHODS
Children were recruited in 1992-95, with questionnaires sent at four- to six-month intervals. Dietary fluoride intake estimates used community and individual water fluoride levels and average fluoride levels of beverages and foods prepared with water. Descriptive statistics and generalized linear models (GLM) assessed levels and associations with demographic factors.


RESULTS
There was substantial variation in fluoride intake, with some individuals' intakes greatly exceeding the means. Daily water fluoride intake estimates (in mg) increased with age, fluoride intake from other beverages and dentifrice both decreased slightly, and combined intake was quite consistent. For combined intake per unit body weight (mg F/kg bw), there was a steady decline with age. Therefore, the percentages with estimated intake exceeding possible thresholds for dental fluorosis also declined with age.


CONCLUSIONS
Daily mean fluoride intakes from single and combined sources are relatively stable from 36-72 months of age among these children.
Levy
Steven M
SM
Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, N330 DSB, College of Dentistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. steven-levy@uiowa.edu
Warren
John J
JJ
Broffitt
Barbara
B
D001628:Beverages; D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003802:Dentifrices; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000209:etiology; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007484:Iowa; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014867:Water
D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003802:Dentifrices; D014867:Water; D005459:Fluorides