Prevalence of dental fluorosis has increased in both optimally fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas. In infancy the major source of fluoride (F) is considered to be infant formulas and a number of studies have implicated formula consumption as a risk factor for dental fluorosis, especially when prepared with fluoridated water. Objectives:Estimate F intake from infant milk formulas. Methods: F concentrations in 4 samples of infant milk and soy-based formulas commercially available in USA, prepared with deionized water or 5 brands of bottled water were determined after HMDS-facilitated diffusion, in duplicate, using a F ion specific electrode (Orion 9609). Possible F ingestion per kg body mass was estimated, based on suggested volumes of formula consumption, for infants aging 1 and 12 months. Results: F concentrations ranged from 0.076 to 0.214 ppm and from 0.092 to 1.053 ppm for formulas prepared with deionized and botttled water (0.016 to 0.839 ppm F), respectively. When prepared with deionized water, none of the formulas should provide a daily F intake of above the suggested threshold for fluorosis (0.07 mg F/kg/day). However, when prepared with 2 brands of bottled water (containing 0.623 and 0.839 ppm F) all of them should provide it. Conclusions: To limit F intakes to amounts < 0.07 mg/kg/day, it's necessary to avoid use of fluoridated water to dilute infant formulas.

Back to the Nutrition Program
Back to the IADR/AADR/CADR 80th General Session (March 6-9, 2002)

Top Level Search