Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the concentrations of total fluoride (TF), total soluble fluoride (TSF) and ionic fluoride (IF) in various toothpaste brands marketed in Saudi Arabia and compare them with the labelled values.

Methods

Twenty toothpaste brands were randomly selected from supermarkets and hypermarkets in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. For each brand, two samples from different production batches were purchased and labelled as sample 1 and sample 2. TF and TSF were determined chemically, while IF was measured with fluoride electrodes. The measured fluoride concentrations were compared with the labelled values and the recommended 1000-1500 ppm range for effective caries prevention.

Results

In total, 40 toothpaste samples were analysed (20 from each of two batches). For TF, six toothpastes in sample 1 exceeded the standard limit of 1500 ppm, with a range of 2102-2462 ppm, while nine in sample 2 surpassed the limit, ranging from 1538 to 1846 ppm. Conversely, eight toothpastes in sample 1 and two in sample 2 were below the minimum recommended level of 1000 ppm, with ranges of 308-923 ppm and 615-923 ppm, respectively. The TSF ranged from 924 to 2157 ppm in sample 1 and 923-2154 ppm in sample 2. The IF varied from 615 to 2462 ppm in sample 1 and 308-2154 ppm in sample 2.

Conclusions

Most toothpaste brands had fluoride levels within the recommended concentration range. However, a significant number exhibited fluoride levels either below the minimum effective dose or exceeding the maximum recommended limit. Fluoride variance in toothpaste demands awareness for dentists and public health to guide optimal caries prevention.