Fluoride intakes of 15-18 year-old adolescent males living in New Zealand

Abstract

Background: Fluoride has an important role in the prevention of tooth decay. Given the naturally low concentrations of fluoride in New Zealand’s water supplies, the Ministry of Health recommend fluoridating water supplies to 0.7-1.0 mg/L to offer an oral health benefit. There is limited research surrounding the fluoride intakes of different age groups in New Zealand, including the contribution of fluoridated water, particularly in adolescents.

Objective: To determine the contribution of water, toothpaste, and food towards overall fluoride intakes in adolescent males living in fluoridated and non-fluoridated locations in New Zealand.

Design: This research was undertaken as part of the Survey of Nutrition, Dietary Assessment and Lifestyle (SuNDiAL) project, a nationwide survey that aimed to evaluate the dietary intakes and habits, nutritional status, health status, motivations, attitudes, 24-hour activity patterns, and screen time habits of high school students in New Zealand. Fluoride intakes from all sources were estimated for 91 participants from six high schools, using two 24-hour recalls, to estimate water and food contribution, and an oral health questionnaire, to estimate the contribution of fluoride from toothpaste.

Results: The mean daily fluoride intake for the 44 participants in fluoridated locations was 2.88 ± 0.75 mg/day, and for the 47 participants in non-fluoridated locations it was 0.87 ± 0.47 mg/day. The contribution of water to the total daily mean fluoride intake was 71% and 17% in fluoridated and non-fluoridated locations, respectively. The contribution of toothpaste was 16% and 51% in fluoridated and non-fluoridated locations, respectively. The adequate intake for fluoride of 3 mg/day was met by 24% of participants, all of whom lived in fluoridated locations.

Conclusion: The primary sources of fluoride in these adolescent males was obtained from toothpaste and, for those living in fluoridated areas, water. Only 24% of participants met the adequate intake for fluoride, and all lived in fluoridated locations, highlighting the significant impact water fluoridation has on total fluoride intake in adolescent males.

Key Words: fluoride, adolescence, males, New Zealand, fluoridation