Evaluation of the fluoride stability of dentifrices sold in Manaus, AM, Brazil

Abstract

The minimum requirement for the anti-caries effect of a dentifrice is the presence of available and stable fluoride in the formulation. The concentration of available fluoride in the major dentifrices sold in Brazil has been reported, but few data have been published about its stability, which is temperature-dependent. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration and stability of fluoride in dentifrices sold in Manaus, AM, Brazil, which is a typical tropical city. The concentrations of total fluoride, total soluble fluoride, MFP, and of insoluble fluoride of six Brazilian dentifrices and an imported one were analyzed. The analyses were made when the dentifrices were purchased and during a year of storage at room temperature (28.9 ± 1.16°C) and under refrigeration (26.3 ± 0.88°C). The analyses were performed using an ion specific electrode Orion 96-09. At the time of purchase, all the dentifrices analyzed showed more than 1,000 ppm (mug F-/g; w/w) of soluble fluoride. However, in most of them, this form of fluoride was not shown to be stable. The highest loss of soluble fluoride was found for storage at room temperature, reaching up to 40%. Although all dentifrices comply with the Brazilian guidelines with regard to the concentration of total fluoride (maximum of 0.15%), the instability of soluble fluoride observed in some of them can impair their anti-caries effect and this condition is not contemplated in the Governmental rules.