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Laboratory analysis of fluoride containing toothpaste available in South Africa.

Since the introduction of fluoridated toothpaste more than 30 years ago, it has become by far the most widespread source of fluoride in the world and after fluoridated water the most effective at reducing dental caries. Both the total soluble and the soluble ionic fluoride present in toothpaste are important in determining the effectiveness of the paste as it is important in remineralising demineralised lesions, a characteristic of fluoride which has proven to be the most important in preventing dental caries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate toothpaste currently available to the South African public regarding total soluble and soluble ionic fluoride. A variation of the method used by Grobler et al. (1983) and Du Preez et al. (1993) in previous studies conducted in South Africa was used in preparing the samples for fluoride analysis. Measurements of fluoride concentrations were done using an ionselective electrode. For all toothpaste studied (n=62), large variations occurred for the soluble ionic fluoride (mean = 318.44 microg F/g toothpaste; median = 139.69; standard deviation = 398.77). Correspondingly a mean total soluble fluoride of 848.84 microg F/g toothpaste was found (standard deviation = 189.35; median = 857.38). From this study it can be concluded that fluoride concentrations in toothpaste available to the South African public are in line with those found in the two previous South African studies. In the absence of artificially fluoridated water, toothpaste remains the most cost-effective strategy in the prevention of dental caries in South Africa.

Cariostatic Agents↗

A fluoride analysis program to reduce tooth decay in rural children.

Daily ingestion of optimal amounts of fluoride has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of tooth decay in children. Fluoridated drinking water is the most effective and efficient primary source of fluoride. Children who do not drink sufficient fluoridated water should receive supplemental fluoride in the form of drops and tablets. Fluoride supplements beginning with the newborn infant at two weeks of age should be prescribed in accordance with the dosage schedules of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association. Fluoride levels of the drinking water source must be determined before prescribing a fluoride supplement. The Arkansas Department of Health offers dentists and physicians a program to analyze the fluoride content of private well or spring water. The program operates through local County Health Departments. Information about the fluoride level in the drinking water of a CWS is available by contacting either that particular CWS or the Engineer Division, Arkansas Department of Health. Questions about fluoride supplementation and/or optimally fluoridated CWS's should be directed to Dr. Wharton A. Nichols, Office of Dental Health, Arkansas Department of Health, 4815 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205, (501) 661-2483.

Adolescent↗

The comparative efficacy of stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice, peroxide/baking soda dentifrice and essential oil mouthrinse for the prevention of gingivitis.

This double-blind parallel-design clinical study compared the efficacy of a stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice (Crest Plus Gum Care), baking soda and peroxide (NaF) dentifrice (Mentadent), and essential oil mouthrinse (Listerine) to a conventional NaF dentifrice (Crest) for the control of plaque, gingivitis and gingival bleeding over six months. Following an initial baseline examination and stratification, subjects received a complete oral prophylaxis and were distributed assigned test products. Following three and six months, subjects re-visited the clinic for examinations. Evaluations at baseline and at 3 and 6 months included soft tissue status. Löe-Silness gingivitis/gingival bleeding, Silness-Löe plaque and dental stain. Results subsequent to six months of product use were as follows: At six months, the stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice was observed to produce statistically significant 17.5% reductions in gingivitis and 27.5% reductions in gingival bleeding relative to the NaF dentifrice. The combination of sodium fluoride dentifrice and essential oil mouthrinse produced statistically significant reductions of 7.4% in gingivitis and 10.8% in plaque as compared with the NaF dentifrice. The stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice produced statistically significant reductions in both gingivitis (10.8%) and gingival bleeding (23.0%) relative to the combination of sodium fluoride dentifrice and essential oil mouthrinse. The baking soda and peroxide (NaF) dentifrice did not provide reductions in gingivitis, plaque or gingival bleeding as compared with the conventional NaF dentifrice. The stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice provided statistically significant reductions in gingivitis as compared with the baking soda and peroxide dentifrice following six months of use, and both the essential oil mouthrinse and stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice provided statistically significant reductions in gingivitis as compared with the baking soda and peroxide dentifrice following three months of use. These results support: 1) the efficacy of stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice and the combination of sodium fluoride dentifrice and essential oil mouthrinse for the prevention of gingivitis; 2) the superior activity of stabilized stannous fluoride dentifrice as compared with a combination of sodium fluoride dentifrice and essential oil mouthrinse for the control of gingivitis and gingival bleeding; and 3) the lack of efficacy for baking soda and peroxide dentifrice for the control of plaque, gingivitis and gingival bleeding as compared with conventional fluoridated dentifrice.

Adult↗

Fluoride release and uptake by aged resin-modified glass ionomers and a polyacid-modified resin composite.

Little has been reported of the relationship of fluoride release and weight loss, and the effects of use of different fluoride agents on restorations, for the new generation of glass ionomer cements. The objectives of this study were to compare fluoride release of fresh and aged specimens of a polyacid-modified resin composite (Dyract), and of three resin-modified glass ionomer cements (Fuji II LC, Photac-Fil, Vitremer); and to correlate fluoride release and weight loss of aged specimens after recharging with three different fluoride agents. All materials showed high initial fluoride release immediately after uptake when using the agents. However, the levels of fluoride release dropped rapidly soon afterwards. Although initial fluoride release was significantly different between Dyract and the three resin-modified glass ionomers, when different fluoride agents were used on aged specimens after recharging, no significant differences were found after the first few hours. Linear regression analyses also showed no correlation between cumulative fluoride release and weight loss. Possible beneficial oral health effects may only be expected by frequent exposure of these materials to fluoride agents.

Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride↗

Theoretical physical chemical studies of the cause of fluoride-induced osteomalacia.

In this study we investigated the possibility of the formation of a calcium fluoride surface film on the new bone matrix in patients undergoing fluoride treatment for osteoporosis. This calcium fluoride film could interfere with the normal mineralization process and lead to hyperosteoidosis (osteomalacia), a well-documented complication seen in fluoride-treated patients. During treatment, fluoride circulating in the blood and extracellular fluid of patients, could interact with the components of the serum, but particularly calcium and magnesium ions. The interrelationships among serum components in the presence of fluoride ion may result, at thermodynamic equilibrium, in deposition on the apatitic bone surface of phases such as calcium fluoride, fluorapatite, or fluorhydroxyapatite. Differences in the phase deposited among patients could result in differences in response to fluoride treatment. A computer program based on equilibrium thermodynamic data was utilized to study the physicochemical calcium, fluoride, and phosphate interrelationships in serum. In all the computer calculations, fluorhydroxyapatite (FHAP), alone or in combination with hydroxyapatite (HAP), was determined to be the thermodynamically stable precipitating surface phase. These data strongly suggest that calcium fluoride surface film is not the reason for the delay of mineralization of fluoride-stimulated new bone. Based on these calculations, we now advance the hypothesis that the effect of fluoride to cause osteomalacia is due to an effect on osteoblasts and also on osteocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Biopsy↗

Fluoride mediates apoptosis in osteosarcoma UMR 106 and its cytotoxicity depends on the pH.

Although an excess intake of fluoride has been reported to cause skeletal fluorosis, very little is known about the mechanism of adverse effects of fluoride on bone. In the present study cytotoxic effects of fluoride were studied using the osteosarcoma cell line, UMR 106. The DNA ladder formation upon agarose electrophoresis and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining revealed that UMR 106 underwent apoptosis following exposure to 5 mM fluoride for 8 h. On the other hand exposure to A23187, a calcium ionophore, caused necrosis while co-exposure to fluoride and A23187 inhibited fluoride-mediated apoptosis in UMR 106. The proliferation of UMR 106 cells cultured for 6 days in the presence of 0.5 mM fluoride was significantly decreased compared to the control culture. The cytotoxic effects of fluoride were modulated by both the cell density and the pH of the culture medium. The fluoride-induced viability loss in UMR 106 was enhanced in culture of high cell-density and inversely correlated with pH of the culture medium. Enhancement of fluoride cytotoxicity at acidic pH was also observed in rat alveolar macrophages and RAW 264, a macrophage cell line. The results suggest that fluoride-mediated apoptosis and culture conditions, including pH of the medium, should be taken into consideration to evaluate toxicity of fluoride in vitro.

Animals↗

Evidence that fluoride-stimulated 3[H]-thymidine incorporation in embryonic chick calvarial cell cultures is dependent on the presence of a bone cell mitogen, sensitive to changes in the phosphate concentration, and modulated by systemic skeletal effectors.

In previous studies we have shown that clinically effective concentrations of fluoride (5 to 30 mumol/L) could also have direct effects in vitro on skeletal tissues to increase embryonic chick bone formation and bone cell proliferation (3[H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA). From these observations, we hypothesized that fluoride-stimulated bone formation might be mediated by a direct effect of fluoride to increase bone cell proliferation. The current studies were intended to investigate the mechanism of fluoride-stimulated 3[H]-thymidine incorporation, in chick calvarial cell cultures, by assessing mitogenic interactions between fluoride and inorganic phosphate, bone-derived growth factors, and systemic skeletal effectors. With respect to fluoride-phosphate interactions, the results of our studies indicate that the effect of fluoride was dependent on the phosphate concentration in the medium. Fluoride did not increase 3[H]-thymidine incorporation in BGJb medium containing 1 mmol/L (total) phosphate; but, in 1.6 mmol/L phosphate medium, fluoride caused a dose-dependent increase in 3[H]-thymidine incorporation, between 1 and 20 mumol/L (P less than .001). The action of fluoride was also dependent on the presence of a bone cell mitogen. Fluoride increased 3[H]-thymidine incorporation when added to calvarial cell cultures in the cell-conditioned medium, but had no effect in unconditioned (ie, fresh) medium. The action of fluoride could be restored by adding an exogenous growth factor (ie, concentrated cell-conditioned medium, bone-derived growth factors, or a systemic bone cell mitogen) to the unconditioned culture medium, P less than .05 for each effector.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Fluoridated hydroxyapatites synthesized with organic phosphate ester.

Fluoridated hydroxyapatites with various fluoride contents were synthesized with organic phosphate ester monomer as a source of P at pH 9.5 and 80 degrees C. The a-axis dimensions of the fluoridated hydroxyapatites decreased with the increase of the fluoride content in the same way as the fluoridated hydroxyapatites synthesized with inorganic phosphate under the same conditions. However, for the same calculated degree of fluoridation in the feed solution, fluoridated hydroxyapatites synthesized with organic P had higher fluoride contents than those synthesized with inorganic P. The crystallinity of the former decreased initially, then increased with increasing fluoride content; but on the whole it was lower than that of the latter. The apparent solubility at pH 4.0 and 37 degrees C decreased dramatically and monotonically with increasing fluoride content and approached an almost constant value at a fluoride content above that of fluorapatite, at which value calcium fluoride was detected.

Calcium↗

Effects of vitamin K(1) on fluoride-induced bone changes in growing rats: a histomorphometric and radiodensitometric study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effects of Vitamin K(1) supplementation on skeletal changes related to fluoride in growing rats. Forty male Wistar rats aged 4 weeks were assigned at random into three groups: high-dose fluoride (125 ppm) group; high-dose fluoride+Vitamin K(1) (0.2mg/(g day)) group; and a control group. The experimental period was 12 weeks. The L(3) vertebrae and the right tibiae were removed, and specimens were analysed by histologic and histomorphometric methods. Quantitative radiodensitometry was also employed to assess the differences in bone mineral density (BMD) between the groups. In the tibia, total tissue area was higher in the study groups than the control group (P<0.05). Cortical bone area was slightly higher in the fluoride+K(1) group than the fluoride group, and marrow cavity area was lower in the fluoride+K(1) group (P<0.05). In the L3 vertebral cancellous bone, bone volume, trabecular number and trabecular thickness were higher in the study groups than the control group (P<0.05). Trabecular separation was reduced in the study groups (P<0.05), and was lower in the fluoride+K(1) group than the fluoride group (P<0.05). The fluoride+K(1) group had a significantly higher BMD than the other groups (P<0.05), and the fluoride group had a significantly higher BMD than the control group (P<0.05). The present study found that fluoride administration increased bone mass in both vertebrae and tibiae in growing rats. Simultaneous administration of Vitamin K(1) and fluoride resulted in an additional increase in vertebral bone mass.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Fluoride levels in various black tea commodities: measurement and safety evaluation.

In order to determine the fluoride content of various products of black tea and to make safety evaluations, 37 commodities in the different manufactured forms of tea were assessed by means of ion-selective electrode and spectrophotometric methods. The results showed wide differences in fluoride levels. The fluoride content was found 0.95-1.41 mg/L in black tea sticks, 0.70-2.44 mg/L in black tea granules and 1.15-6.01 mg/L in black tea bags. Of the products tested, the fluoride content was greatest in black tea bags, presumably because black tea bags are made of low cost, and older tea leaves. According to WHO's recommendation, fluoride exposure threshold for children is 2mg of daily intake and for adult, 4 mg. Assuming that children's daily intake of black tea was 800 ml and adult's 1500 ml, 56% of black tea bags should be considered unsafe for children and 44% should be considered unsafe for adults. At average rates of consumption, 24% of the black tea bags could result in an increasing risk of osteofluorosis and fractures (WHO). In the areas with drinking water fluoridation or other fluoride supplements, excessive fluoride exposure can become even more severe with even lower intake tea made from black tea bags. The potential hazards of fluoride arising from consumption of black tea has not aroused due public attention. Therefore, it is necessary to establish reliable fluoride surveillance in food and beverage commodities and conduct additional epidemiological research on fluoride hazards. In addition, it is urgent that governmental and international agencies adopt safe standards of fluoride content in tea commodities.

Electrochemistry↗

Variations in concentration of fluoride in blood plasma of pregnant women and their possible consequences for amelogenesis in a fetus.

The aim of the study was to assess the fluoride exposure of pregnant women living in Poznan (Poland) by examination of fluoride levels in blood plasma. The subjects of the study were 31 pregnant women aged 22-34 years in the course of regular pregnancy. Data concerning the sources of fluoride exposure such as diet, oral hygiene measures and topical application of fluoride procedures, were collected from each individual with a questionnaire. Samples of blood plasma were drawn in the 28th, 33rd week of pregnancy and during delivery. The analysis evaluating the fluoride concentration in the samples was carried out with the use of fluoride electrode ORION (model 96-09). The data were statistically analyzed using the program Statistica for Windows. Mean value of fluoride concentration in the samples of blood plasma from the 28th week of pregnancy was lower than the mean concentration detected in the 33rd week of pregnancy (3.29 and 3.73mumol/l, respectively). These values suggest that apart from drinking water, there were other important sources of fluoride in the examined sample. The results indicate that a reliable assessment of fluoride exposure in a given population cannot be based solely on the concentration of fluoride in drinking water. Relatively high levels of fluoride in blood plasma of examined women suggest that there is no need for fluoride supplementation in this group of patients.

Adult↗

Study on fluoride emission from soils at high temperature related to brick-making process.

Characteristics of fluoride emission from 12 soils at temperatures of 400-1,100 degrees C related to the brick-making process were studied. The results obtained in this study indicate that fluoride emission as gaseous HF and SiF4 was related to the firing temperature, soil total fluoride content, soil composition and calcium compounds added to soils. Soils began to release fluoride at temperatures between 500 and 700 degrees C. Marked increases of the average fluoride mission rate from 57.2% to 85.4% of soil total fluoride were noticed as the heating temperature was increased from 700 to 1,100 degrees C. It was found that the major proportion (over 50%) of the soil total fluoride was emitted from soils at approximate 800 degrees C. The amount of fluoride released into the atmosphere when heated depended on the total fluoride contents in the soils. Correlation analysis showed that the soil composition, such as cation exchange capacity, exchangeable calcium and CaCO3, had some influence on fluoride emission below 900 degrees C, but had no influence at temperatures above 900 degrees C. Addition of four calcium compounds (CaO, CaCO3, Ca(OH)2, and CaSO4) at 1.5% by weight raised the temperature at which fluoride began to be released to 700 degrees C. The greatest decrease in fluoride emission among the four calcium compound treatments was found with CaCO3.

Air Pollutants↗

Health effects of fluoride pollution caused by coal burning.

Recently a huge amount of fluoride in coal has been released into indoor environments by the combustion of coal and fluoride pollution seems to be increasing in some rural areas in China. Combustion of coal and coal bricks is the primary source of gaseous and aerosol fluoride and these forms of fluoride can easily enter exposed food products and the human respiratory tract. Major human fluoride exposure was caused by consumption of fluoride contaminated food, such as corn, chilies and potatoes. For each diagnostic syndrome of dental fluorosis, a log-normal distribution was observed on the logarithm of urinary fluoride concentration in students in China. Urinary fluoride content was found to be a primary health indicator of the prevalence of dental fluorosis in the community. In the fluorosis areas, osteosclerosis in skeletal fluorosis patients was observed with a high prevalence. A biochemical marker of bone resorption, urinary deoxypyridinoline content was much higher in residents in China than in residents in Japan. It was suggested that bone resorption was stimulated to a greater extent in residents in China and fluoride may stimulate both bone resorption and bone formation. Renal function especially glomerular filtration rate was very sensitive to fluoride exposure. Inorganic phosphate concentrations in urine were significantly lower in the residents in fluorosis areas in China than in non-fluorosis area in China and Japan. Since airborne fluoride from the combustion of coal pollutes extensively both the living environment and food, it is necessary to reduce fluoride pollution caused by coal burning.

Adult↗

Fluoride release from glass ionomer cements and resin composites coated with a dentin adhesive.

OBJECTIVES: This laboratory study compared the effect of surface coatings on patterns and amounts of fluoride released from four glass ionomer cements and two fluoride-containing resin composites. METHODS: Twelve cylinders of each material were prepared in a polyethylene mold. The experimental groups (n = 6) were coated with one layer of an adhesive resin (3M Scotchbond Multipurpose Adhesive), while the control groups (n = 6) remained uncoated. Cumulative fluoride release into deionized water was measured on days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 using an ion analyzer. Total fluoride release after 28 days was analyzed for significant differences among materials using one-way ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The total amounts of fluoride release from the coated samples were found to be significantly less than the uncoated samples for all materials, except Solitaire. The uncoated samples released a total amount of fluoride of between 2.3 and 85.4 ppm, while the coated samples released a total amount of fluoride of between < 0.2 and 24.1 ppm. Similar patterns of fluoride release were found in coated and uncoated samples. SIGNIFICANCE: The results indicated that the application of a dentin adhesive coating did not completely prevent fluoride release from glass ionomer cements and fluoridated resin composites, although the amounts were significantly less. Clinically, it suggests that a continued release of fluoride from glass ionomer cements and fluoridated resin composites is possible after placing a thin layer of resin adhesive. The clinical significance of these findings is not known.

Analysis of Variance↗

Fluoride release from orthodontic cements-effect of specimen surface area and depth.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this in vitro study were firstly to compare fluoride release from a disc model of two orthodontic cements with various surfaces varnished, reducing the surface area by 25, 50 and 75%; secondly, to measure the fluoride release from previously exhausted discs of the same cements following removal of various depths of surface material. METHODS: Forty discs of each cement, Fuji Ortho LC and Ultra Band-Lok, (6mm diameter by 3mm) were divided into two groups of 20 discs each. For each material, the first group was divided further into four groups of five discs, one group acting as control, while the other three groups were varnished reducing the surface area by 25, 50 and 75%, respectively. The second group was exhausted initially over a 60 day pre-experimental period and was subsequently divided into four groups of five discs, one group acting as control. The other three groups had material ground from one of the flat surfaces, to depths of 10, 100 or 1000 microm, to reveal a fresh surface. In both studies, the discs were immersed either daily (up to day 20) or twice weekly (up to day 60) in fresh 2ml aliquots of deionised water. The fluoride concentration in the deionised water was measured at the end of the experimental period. RESULTS: For each cement, the relationship between the cumulative fluoride release and the percentage of the surface covered was clearly non linear at both 5 and 60 days. Fuji Ortho LC proved to release significantly greater amounts of fluoride at both 5 days and 60 days compared with Ultra Band-Lok. The results for Ultra Band-Lok were also significant when compared to the control group, but significantly less fluoride was released when compared with Fuji Ortho LC. When comparing the 25 and 50% covered discs, the amount of fluoride released was not significantly different for both cements. Furthermore, the relationship between fluoride release and depth was clearly non linear for both cements. CONCLUSIONS: For the materials tested in this study, reducing the surface area of the discs did not reduce the cumulative fluoride release in a linear fashion. In addition, the previously exhausted discs began to release fluoride again, but this fell to concentrations similar to the control discs after the initial 5-day period for both cements. This suggests that further traces of previously unreleased fluoride had become available from the subsurface of these cements. The pattern of fluoride release was similar for all models tested.

Acrylic Resins↗

Fluoride release from glass-ionomer and compomer restorative materials: 6-month data.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the daily fluoride release of two glass ionomers (Ketac-Fil and ChemFil Superior) and two compomers (Compoglass and Dyract Restorative) over 6 months. METHODS: A pilot study evaluated the time taken for sample solutions to equilibrate to establish an appropriate time period for sample solution storage between fluoride ion measurements. In the main study storage water replacement and fluoride ion determination was made daily using a specific ion electrode, TISAB buffer and standard solutions for calibration. RESULTS: Equilibration of fluoride concentration in aqueous solution occurred in under 48 h for all materials. Total fluoride released (microgram mm-2) after 6 months by Ketac-Fil (30.6, s.d. 4.9) was significantly greater than ChemFil Superior (12.7, s.d. 2.5), Compoglass (10.4, s.d. 1.0) and Dyract Restorative (7.7, s.d. 1.7) (P < 0.05). Daily fluoride release at 24 h and 10 days was significantly higher for the glass ionomers than the compomers (P < 0.05). After 40 days the daily fluoride release (microgram mm-2) from ChemFil Superior (0.05, s.d. 0.01) was not significantly different from Compoglass (0.04, s.d. 0.01) and Dyract Restorative (0.03, s.d. 0.00) (P > 0.05). Daily fluoride release from Ketac-Fil remains significantly higher than the compomers at 3 and 6 months (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Specimens stored in water equilibrate rapidly, suggesting the rate at which storage water is changed may alter the relative fluoride release rates of materials. This important fact is often overlooked. Fluoride release from the glass ionomers is initially higher than for the compomers. Fluoride release from glass ionomers falls rapidly to approach levels released by compomers. Compomers produce no initial burst of fluoride and levels of release remain relatively constant.

Aluminum Silicates↗

Fluoride intake from foods, beverages and dentifrice by children in Mexico.

OBJECTIVES: This investigation monitored fluoride ingestion in Mexican children who were susceptible to developing dental fluorosis. METHODS: Total fluoride intake, from dietary and toothpaste samples, was determined in 15-36-month-old children from Mexico City and Veracruz, Mexico. A duplicate plate technique was used. Plasma fluoride levels were also determined in this group of children. RESULTS: The children ingested a mean (+/-SD) of 0.20 +/- 0.08 and 0.18 +/- 0.07 mg fluoride/kg/day, in Mexico City and Veracruz, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the fluoride ingested by children in the two cities (P > 0.9). Plasma from children in Mexico City and Veracruz contained a mean of 1.30 +/- 0.81 and 0.87 +/- 0.72 micro mol fluoride/l, respectively, and these values were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Our results lead to the conclusion that mean fluoride ingested from the combination of foods and beverages was within the proposed safe threshold for fluoride intake of 0.05-0.07 mg F/kg/day. Most of the fluoride intake by these children was derived from the ingestion of fluoridated toothpaste. When all sources of ingested fluoride were added and total fluoride intake was calculated, the children, both in Mexico City and Veracruz, were ingesting amounts of fluoride well above the upper limits of the proposed safe threshold for fluoride intake.

Beverages↗

Effect of aluminum hydroxide on fluoride metabolism.

Aluminum inhibits intestinal absorption of fluoride in animals but little information is available about man. To determine whether and to what extent aluminum affects fluoride absorption in man, effects of aluminum hydroxide on fluoride metabolism were studied under controlled dietary conditions. Relatively small amounts of aluminum hydroxide were used (30 ml three times daily, containing a total of 1.8 gm aluminum, were given for several weeks). Fluoride balances were determined in control studies and during the intake of aluminum hydroxide. The fluoride intake was the fluoride content of the diet and the drinking water. Two studies were also carried out on a high-fluoride intake. The use of aluminum hydroxide was associated with an increase in fecal fluoride excretion and a decrease in net absorption of fluoride regardless of the intake fluoride, calcium, phosphorus, or magnesium. Urinary fluoride decreased during aluminum hydroxide ingestion. Our studies show that relatively small amounts of aluminum hydroxide inhibit intestinal absorption of fluoride in man.

Aged↗