Effects of Fluorides in Toothpastes on Oral Nitrite Formation

In elmex® and meridol® toothpastes, a well characterised amine fluoride (Olaflur®) is used as source of fluoride in order to provide protection from caries and to inhibit the oral microflora. Objective: To investigate to which extent the usage of amine fluoride containing toothpastes as compared to a sodiumfluoride containing toothpaste influence oral nitrite formation from dietary nitrate. Methods: In a cross over design, 33 probands used amine fluoride or sodiumfluoride containing toothpastes for 2 weeks, 2 times daily, repectively. After uptake of 200 ml nitrate rich beetroot juice, nitrate and nitrite formation in saliva over time (4h) was monitored. Nitrate was determined by RP-HPLC/UV, nitrite photometrically. Dental health status was evaluated by the DMFT status which was in the range between 0-15 with a median of 4. Results: Salivary nitrate contents increased up to 340 µg/g (cmax) after beetroot juice uptake. On average about 20% of nitrite being secreted into the oral cavity was reduced to nitrite within 4 hours. No differences were found between probands using amine fluoride or sodiumfluoride containing toothpastes in this cross-over study. No influence of dental health status on nitrite formation was observed. Conclusion: Toothbrushing two times daily for two weeks prior to alimentary uptake of nitrate in a vegetable juice with toothpastes containing amine fluorides or monosodium fluoride did not result in differential salivary nitrite formation.

This work was sponsored by GABA international.