Enhanced Fluoride Bioavailability with Incorporation of Arginine in Child Dentifrices

Abstract

Objective(s): To: 1) examine the fluoride concentrations in commercial child formula dentifrices (CFD)s; and 2) investigate the effect of arginine incorporation in CFDs on fluoride bioavailability. Study Design: Five commercial CFDs were examined for fluoride concentrations. Total, total soluble, and insoluble fluorides in CFDs were determined by the modified Taves acid-diffusion method (TAD). Ionic F and MFP were estimated by modified direct method with standard addition technique. L-arginine (L-Arg)/L-arginine monohydrochloride (L-Arg.HCl) were incorporated at 2% w/w in the commercial CFDs. The pH of the toothpaste slurries, buffer capacity of the added Arg, potentially available fluorides (PAF) and 1-min PAF by TAD were determined. Results: The CFDs had 4 to 32% of insoluble fluorides. Addition of L-Arg/L-Arg.HCl significantly improved the fluoride bioavailability in CFDs (p<0.05). Incorporation of L-Arg significantly increased the pH of toothpaste slurries (p<0.05); while L-Arg.HCl decreased the pH. Principal component analysis showed that L-Arg.HCl decreased the pH of toothpaste slurries due to the presence of Cl in the form of HCl; whereas the inherent elements/molecules (Na/P/Pi/F) remain distinct with unidentified influence on the variables. Conclusion(s): The CFDs containing NaF only have higher concentrations of bioavailable fluoride. Incorporating arginine (L-arginine or L-arginine monohydrochloride) at 2% w/w improves fluoride bioavailability of the child formula dentifrices.