39th Annual Student Research Conference
How Protective is Your Toothpaste? An Ion-Selective Electrode Approach to Determining Fluoride Content in Toothpaste
Sofia Kattentidt*, Ashelynn Courtney, Alex Kepes, and Laura Varo
Dr. Barbara Kramer, Faculty Mentor
Fluoride is a key ingredient in toothpaste, contributing to enamel remineralization and the prevention of dental cavities. This study aims to quantify fluoride concentrations in three commercially available and marketed as “protective” toothpastes: Sensodyne Repair and Protect, Crest Plus Cavity Protection, and Colgate Total Active Protection. Fluoride ion-selective electrode (ISE) analysis will be used to measure aqueous free fluoride, while spiked blanks and samples will evaluate method accuracy. Calibration curves generated from the fluoride standards will allow conversion of electrode potentials to fluoride concentration. The results will help assess the consistency of labeled fluoride content across brands and answer the question of whether these toothpastes are actually protective, based on the amount of fluoride found.
Keywords: Chemistry, Ion-Selective Electrode, ISE, Fluoride, Toothpaste
Topic(s):Chemistry
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Session: TBA
Location: TBA
Time: TBA