Oral fluoride retention was studied following the topical application of acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) gel with a toothbrush. Forty-four children (aged 1.5years) were treated by 3 hygienists. The amount of APF gel prepared for each child was 0.81±0.09g (Mean±SD). The amount of retained fluoride was 2.09±0.07mg. The amount of retained fluoride per body weight was 0.19±0.06mg ranging from 0.07 to 0.31mg. This fluoride application technique using a toothbrush was easier than using a tray, and was accepted well even by younger children.
The results show that children do not ingest toxic doses of fluoride when this application technique is employed.
