Fluoride in Bottled Waters Consumed in Northeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the fluoride concentration of bottled waters from municipalities in northeastern Brazil. Material and Methods: Bottled mineral waters were purchased in two periods at different commercial places of four large municipalities (João Pessoa, Campina Grande, Patos, and Cajazeiras) in the Paraíba state. The municipalities selected to present the following annual average temperature: João Pessoa 26.5 °C, Campina Grande 23.3 °C, Patos and Cajazeiras 27.5 °C. Fluoride concentration was determined using a combined ion-specific electrode. Readings (in mV) were conducted in triplicates for each standard solution and converted into fluoride concentration (mg F/L) using the Excel® software. Results: A total of 72 samples from six brands of bottled water were analyzed. The fluoride concentrations of all samples were low (0.11-0.21mg/L) but higher than those reported on the label and varied among different batches of the same brand. Conclusion: The fluoride levels in bottled water vary among brands, and these actual values are not stated in the labels.

Level of natural fluoride in public water supply: geographical and meteorological factors in Brazil's Northeast.

This study analyzed the relationships between the concentration of natural fluoride in public water supply and meteorological and hydrographic factors in a northeastern region of Brazil. This was a descriptive, analytical, ecological, longitudinal, and field study conducted by collecting water in 23 municipalities (2019 to 2020) of four macroregions of Paraíba (Brazil): coast (1), borborema (2), agreste (3), and outback (4). Four collection sites were selected per municipality: two near and two distant from the water treatment plant. Fluoride concentration was determined using a combined ion-specific electrode and classified according to the Collaborating Center of the Ministry of Health in Oral Health Surveillance. Meteorological, hydrographic, and population characteristics were also collected. All analyzed samples showed natural fluoride; macroregions 2 and 4 showed the highest mean fluoride concentration, macroregion 4 presented the highest mean temperature, and all macroregions showed a similar pattern of precipitation. The mean fluoride concentration of the four macroregions was below the appropriate value to prevent caries. An increase in precipitation would decrease the fluoride concentration in water. In conclusion, the concentration of natural fluoride varied according to meteorological and hydrographic factors. The concentration in surface waters increased during periods of low precipitation. Therefore, this study provided important information to support implementation of community water fluoridation in this region.

Level of natural fluoride in public water supply: geographical and meteorological factors in Brazil's Northeast

Abstract This study analyzed the relationships between the concentration of natural fluoride in public water supply and meteorological and hydrographic factors in a northeastern region of Brazil. This was a descriptive, analytical, ecological, longitudinal, and field study conducted by collecting water in 23 municipalities (2019 to 2020) of four macroregions of Paraíba (Brazil): coast (1), borborema (2), agreste (3), and outback (4). Four collection sites were selected per municipality: two near and two distant from the water treatment plant. Fluoride concentration was determined using a combined ion-specific electrode and classified according to the Collaborating Center of the Ministry of Health in Oral Health Surveillance. Meteorological, hydrographic, and population characteristics were also collected. All analyzed samples showed natural fluoride; macroregions 2 and 4 showed the highest mean fluoride concentration, macroregion 4 presented the highest mean temperature, and all macroregions showed a similar pattern of precipitation. The mean fluoride concentration of the four macroregions was below the appropriate value to prevent caries. An increase in precipitation would decrease the fluoride concentration in water. In conclusion, the concentration of natural fluoride varied according to meteorological and hydrographic factors. The concentration in surface waters increased during periods of low precipitation. Therefore, this study provided important information to support implementation of community water fluoridation in this region.

Associação entre erosão dental e asma: uma revisão sistemática e meta-análise / Association between dental erosion and asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis / Asociación entre erosión dental y asma: una revisión sistemática y meta-análisis

O objetivo desse plano de trabalho foi avaliar criticamente a evidência atual sobre a associação entre erosão dental e asma em crianças. Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática com estudos observacionais transversais do tipo caso-controle em crianças de 3 a 12 anos de idade. A pesquisa foi conduzida por dois revisores independentes (Kappa>0,8), em cinco bancos de dados eletrônicos primários, além de uma pesquisa de literatura cinzenta. O risco de viés dos artigos incluídos foi realizado usando o Joanna Briggs Institute Critical. Lista de verificação de avaliação para estudos transversais analíticos. RevMan 5.4 foi usado para gerar figura do risco de viés e realizar a meta- análise. A qualidade da evidência foi avaliada de acordo com o Classificação de Recomendações Avaliação, Desenvolvimento e Avaliação (GRADE). Cinco estudos foram incluídos para análise qualitativa, dos quais quatro foram incluídos para análise quantitativa, com total de 2047 crianças. Três dos trabalhos apresentaram moderado risco de viés, um com alto risco, e um com baixo risco de viés. A confiança na evidência foi classificada como "muito baixa". Concluiu-se que não há associação entre asma e erosão dental.

The aim of this study was to critically evaluate the current evidence on the association between dental erosion and asthma in children. A systematic review was carried out with case-control cross-sectional observational studies in children aged 3 to 12 years. The search was conducted by two independent reviewers (Kappa>0.8), across five primary electronic databases, in addition to a gray literature search. The risk of bias of included articles was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical. Evaluation checklist for analytical cross-sectional studies. RevMan 5.4 was used to generate the risk of bias figure and perform a meta-analysis. The quality of the evidence was assessed according to the Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Recommendations Rating. Five studies were included for qualitative analysis, of which four were included for quantitative analysis, with a total of 2047 children. Three of the studies adopted moderate risk of bias, one with high risk, and one with low risk of bias. Confidence in the evidence was rated "very low". It was concluded that there is no association between asthma and dental erosion.

El objetivo de este plan de trabajo fue evaluar críticamente la evidencia actual sobre la asociación entre erosión dental y asma en niños. Se realizó una revisión sistemática con estudios observacionales transversales de casos y controles en niños de 3 a 12 años. La búsqueda fue realizada por dos revisores independientes (Kappa>0,8), en cinco bases de datos electrónicas primarias, además de una búsqueda en la literatura gris. El riesgo de sesgo de los artículos incluidos se realizó mediante el Joanna Briggs Institute Critical. Lista de verificación de evaluación para estudios transversales analíticos. Se utilizó RevMan 5.4 para generar la cifra de riesgo de sesgo y realizar el metanálisis. La calidad de la evidencia se evaluó de acuerdo con la Clasificación de recomendaciones de evaluación, desarrollo y evaluación (GRADE). Se incluyeron cinco estudios para el análisis cualitativo, de los cuales cuatro se incluyeron para el análisis cuantitativo, con un total de 2047 niños. Tres de los artículos tenían riesgo moderado de sesgo, uno con alto riesgo y uno con bajo riesgo de sesgo. La confianza en la evidencia se calificó como "muy baja". Se concluyó que no existe asociación entre el asma y la erosión dental.

Physicochemical characteristics and antimicrobial activity of Origanum vulgare L. essential oil and carvacrol on cariogenic bacteria: an in vitro and in silico study.

Natural antimicrobial products have been historically used for the prevention and control of biofilm-dependent oral diseases. We determined the physicochemical characteristics of Origanum vulgare L. essential oil (OEO) and carvacrol (CAR), and their in vitro antimicrobial activity against cariogenic bacteria. In silico analysis was further carried out to examine the pharmacokinetics of CAR. The antimicrobial activity of OEO and CAR was determined through agar diffusion test, biofilm assays, and the checkboard test. Data were analyzed by Tukey's post hoc test. OEO showed inhibitory activity on bacterial growth, which was enhanced with the addition of CAR and greater than that of CAR alone. In silico analysis indicated good theoretical bioavailability of CAR. CAR showed effective physicochemical characteristics as an antimicrobial drug due to its favorable theoretical absorption and distribution kinetics. Collectively, our findings suggest that OEO and CAR warrant further investigations as promising natural products for controlling cariogenic biofilms.

External control of water fluoridation in a small municipality of northeast of Brazil / Heterocontrole da fluoretação das águas em um município de pequeno porte no nordeste do Brasil

Abstract Introduction Fluoridation of public water supply is an important measure in the prevention of dental caries. Objective This study aimed to monitor the fluoride (F) concentrations of a public water supply with water fluoridation program in a small municipality in the Northeast region of Brazil. Material and method It is a quantitative study with a descriptive approach. Three points of the urban area were selected for collecting water samples twice a month for 12 months. The average of F concentrations was calculated considering these three samples of each collection point at the same occasion. F concentrations in the water samples were determined by potentiometry and the results were classified according to the criterion proposed by criterion set down by Collaborating Center of the Brazilian Ministry of Health for Oral Health Surveillance. The samples were classified according to the best risk-benefit adjustment (0.55 - 0.84 mg F /L). Result Less than 10% of the samples were within the ideal range. Conclusion It was observed that water fluoridation in this municipality was interrupted since many water samples showed f-levels below the minimal acceptable values.

Resumo Introdução A fluoretação das águas de abastecimento público é uma medida importante na prevenção à cárie dentária. Objetivo O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar e monitorar os teores de flúor nas águas de abastecimento público em um município de pequeno porte no Nordeste do Brasil. Material e método O estudo apresenta uma abordagem quantitativa de caráter descritivo. Foram selecionados 3 pontos para realizar coleta das águas duas vezes no mês na zona urbana do município durante 12 meses. A concentração de flúor foi obtida pela média das três leituras das amostras analisadas para cada ponto de coleta e classificadas conforme critério proposto pelo Centro Colaborador do Ministério da Saúde em Vigilância da Saúde Bucal. Resultado Segundo o critério utilizado (0,55 - 0,84 mg/L F), apenas 9,7% das amostras estavam dentro do considerado ideal. Conclusão Observou-se que a fluoretação das águas nesse município foi interrompida, pois muitas amostras de água apresentaram níveis de flúor abaixo dos valores mínimos aceitáveis.