Fluoride concentration and pH of pediatric medicines regularly and long-term used by children.

OBJECTIVES Our aim in this study was to determine the fluoride concentration and pH of 71 pediatric medicines regularly and long-term used by children. STUDY DESIGN The fluoride concentration was evaluated by selective electrode of fluoride (Orion). The pH was confronted using specific electrode (Orion) coupled to a potentiometer (Orion). The analyses were accomplished in duplicate. Pearson 's correlation and Kruskal-Wallis test were used. P-values below 5% were considered statistically significant. RESULTS Medicine pH averages±SD varied from 2.3±0.01 to up 10.6±0.02. Values below critical pH were observed in 42.25% (n=30) of presentations, with 25.35% (n=18) below 4.5 pH. Most medicines (84.5%) presented fluoride concentration below 0.05 mg/L. CONCLUSIONS Among the pediatric medicines evaluated, this study has showed that 2-4 times-a-day posology and syrup formulations presented lowest pH and fluoride concentration, resulting in factors that predict highest cariogenic and erosive potential.