Abstract
BACKGROUND: People consuming alkaline water for health benefits should have optimum fluoride and pH. Water fluoridation prevents caries. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the fluoride concentration, pH levels, and relation between them in six different brands of alkaline water. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomly, six different alkaline water package bottles were selected for fluoride and pH analysis using an electrochemical probe method and electrometric method, respectively. RESULTS: The mean fluoride concentration of tested samples was 0.212 ± 0.376 mg/L with the highest value in Aava alkaline water (1.03 mg/L) and the lowest in Kangen alkaline water (0.02 mg/L). The mean pH was 7.754 ± 0.672, much below the claimed values of the manufacturers. Kangen alkaline water had the highest pH (8.66), and Aava alkaline water had lowest pH (7.05). There was a statistically significant difference, P < 0.001, between different brands of fluoride and pH levels. There was a negative correlation between fluoride and pH in alkaline water samples (P = 0.032). CONCLUSION: Tested alkaline water bottles should adhere to its pH and should contain optimum fluoride. Concerned authorities should make sure the availability of optimum fluoride concentration and specify the pH level on the alkaline water bottle label for better consumer awareness and making an informed choice.