Unacceptably high levels of fluoride in commercial preparations of silver fluoride

Instead of expected fluoride ion concentrations of around 60 000 ppm, commercial preparations of 40 per cent aqueous silver fluoride were found to contain 120000-127000 ppm. Information received from the Western Australian Chemistry Centre which provided independent confirmation of the higher than expected [F] indicates that the currently available commercial preparations contain silver difluoride rather than silver fluoride. In view of the potential of fluoride-containing products such as dentifrices (1000-1500 ppm F) and topical fluoride gels and solutions (6000-12000 ppm F) to cause adverse effects if excessive quantities are ingested, any product that contains 120000 ppm [F] should be regarded as carrying a high risk of toxicity when used on young children.