Concentrations of fluoride among commercially available mouthrinses for children in Thailand

Abstract

© 2019, SEAMEO TROPMED Network. All rights reserved. Dental caries are a major public health problem among children, worldwide. Fluoridated mouthrinses are used to reduce the risk for caries among children, but there is little published data about the concentrations of fluoride in commercially available mouthrinses for children in Thailand. The aim of this study was to determine the fluoride concentrations and pH values of commercially available mouthrinses for children in Thailand in order to guide fluoride mouthrinse use recommendations. We found 19 mouthrinses for children from eight manufacturers commercially available in Thailand and evaluated them for fluoride concentration and pH. We obtained 3 samples of each mouthrinse and conducted each evaluation in triplicate using an ion-selective electrode to determine the fluoride concentration. One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s tests with 95% confidence interval were used to determine significant differences in fluoride concentration among the studied mouthrinses. The average fluoride concentrations of the studied mouthrinses ranged from 0.00 ppm (Mondamin® kids, Clinica kid’s®, Sunstar® for children) to 106 ppm (Oralmed® Kid). Analysis of variance showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) in the fluoride concentration among the mouthrinses. Mondamin® kids, Clinica kid’s®, Sunstar® for children and Fluocaril® had significantly lower fluoride concentrations than the other brands. The pH values of all mouthrinses analyzed ranged from 3.73 (Listerine® kids, Berry shield) to 8.45 (Mondamin® kids, Grape flavor). Two brands’ (Listerine® kids and Mybacin® Junior) pH values were below 5.5. The commercially available mouthrinses studied contained large variations in fluoride concentration and pH values. These mouthrinses should be labeled with their fluoride concentrations and pH values in order to inform dentists on how to advise their patients regarding appropriate use.