Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia
Abstract
Fluoride (F) has a big role to prevent dental caries by strengthening tooth structure. Indonesian community has limited source of F. Fluoridating tap water can be a way to increase F consumption, however, it is currently difficult to apply in Indonesia due to technical reason. The community is increasingly consuming bottled water, therefore, fluoridating bottled drinking water can provide alternative solution. Organoleptic tests showed that consumers can accept the taste, color, and odor that appear at fluoridated bottled drinking water. However, the stability of F in bottled drinking water after storage and exposure to the sun remains to be established. This study investigated, physical and bacteriological properties of fluoridated bottled water stored at room temperature and expose to sunlight. Quasi-experimental research design was made with two groups of bottled water: non-fluoridated and fluoridated, each stored in sealed glasses at room temperature and exposed to sunlight. Measurements of pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), bacterial count, and turbidity were taken at weeks 1 and 4. Independent t test was performed to determine differences in the physical properties of two group of bottled water. No differences in salivary pH, TDS, turbidity, bacterial count between non-fluoridated and fluoridated bottled drinking water. There were differences in the physical and bacteriological properties between samples that were exposed to the sun and those un-exposed. Bottled drinking water stored at room temperature and un-exposed to the sun were performing better. Fluoridated bottled drinking water is safe for consumption based on bacteriological testing and physical properties