ACUTE FLUORIDE TOXICITY FROM INGESTING HOME-USE
DENTAL PRODUCTS IN CHILDREN, BIRTH TO 6 YEARS OF AGE

J D Shulman and L M Wells, Dallas, Texas, USA

Abstract from Journal of Public Health Dentistry 57 (3) 150-158 1997

Methods: Annual incidence rates of reported fluoride exposures attributed to dietary supplements, toothpaste, and rinses were calculated. Probably toxic amounts of each product were calculated using the frequently cited dose of 5 mg/kg.

Results: Children younger than 6 years of age accounted for more than 80 percent of reports of suspected over ingestion. While the outcomes were generally not serious, several hundred children were treated at health care facilities each year. A 10 kg child who ingests 50 mg fluoride (10.1 g 1.1% NaF gel; 32.7 g 0.63% SnF₂ gel; 33.3 g 1,500 ppm F toothpaste; 50 g 1,000 ppm F toothpaste; and 221 mL 0.05% NaF rinse) will have ingested a probably toxic dose.

Conclusions: Overingestion of fluoride products in the home is preventable. Dentists and other health care providers should educate parents and child care providers about the importance of keeping fluoride products out of reach of children. Manufacturers should be encouraged by the ADA and the FDA to use child-resistant packaging for all fluoride products intended for use in the home.

Key words: Acute fluoride toxicity; Fluoride gels; Fluoride mouthrinse; Fluoride supplements; Fluoride toothpaste; Self-applied fluorides.

Reprints: J D Shulman, Texas A and M University, Baylor College of Dentistry, PO Box 660677, Dallas, TX 75266, USA.

FLUORIDE 31 (1)  1998 pp 47-48	International Society for Fluoride Research
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