Fluoride intake of infants living in non-fluoridated and fluoridated areas.
OBJECTIVE
Data on fluoride exposure of infants are sparse. This study aimed to estimate total daily fluoride intake (TDFI) of infants aged 1-12 months, living in non-fluoridated and fluoridated areas in north-east England.


METHODS
Daily dietary fluoride intake was assessed using a three-day food diary coupled with analysis of fluoride content of food/drink consumed, using a F-ISE and diffusion method. A questionnaire with an interview was used to collect information on toothbrushing habits. TDFI was estimated from diet, plus fluoride supplements and dentifrice ingestion where used.


RESULTS
Thirty-eight infants completed the study; 19 receiving fluoridated water (mean 0.97 mgF/l) and 19 receiving non-fluoridated water (mean 0.19 mgF/l). Mean (SD) TDFI for the infants living in fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas was 0.107 (0.054) and 0.024 (0.015) mg/kg body weight per day, respectively. Diet was the only fluoride source for 87% of infants and none used fluoride supplements. For infants for whom mouth/teeth cleaning was undertaken, dentifrice contribution to TDFI ranged from 24 to 78%.


CONCLUSIONS
Infants living in fluoridated areas, in general, may receive a fluoride intake, from diet only, of more than the suggested optimal range for TDFI. This emphasises the importance of estimating TDFI at an individual level when recommendations for fluoride use are being considered.
School of Health and Social Care, Teesside University.
F V
FV
Zohoori
School of Health and Social Care, Teesside University.
G
G
Whaley
1] Centre for Oral Health Research, Newcastle University [2] Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University [3] Human Nutrition Research Centre, Newcastle University.
P J
PJ
Moynihan
Centre for Oral Health Research, Newcastle University.
A
A
Maguire
D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005457:Fluoridation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D005459:Fluorides