Relationships between daily total fluoride intake and dental fluorosis and dental caries

Objective： To explore the relationships between the daily total intake of fluoride, dental fluorosis and dental caries. Methods： An epidemiological method was used to investigate the daily total intake of fluoride, dental fluorosis, and dental caries among 236 and 290 children aged 8-13 years in a severe endemic area and in a non-fluorosis control area, respectively. The children were divided into eight subgroups according to each child＇ s estimated daily total intake of fluoride. The prevalence of dental fluorosis and dental caries in each group was calculated. Results： As expected, elevated levels of fluoride intake were significantly associated with a higher prevalence of dental fluorosis and an increasing amount of more severe defect dental fluorosis. When the daily total F intake was 2.78 mg/child/day, the prevalence of dental fluorosis was nearly 100%, with the prevalence of defect dental fluorosis increasing with increasing fluoride intake. There was also a significant negative（inverse） dose-response relationship between the daily total intake of fluoride and the overall prevalence of dental caries, the prevalence of which decreased when the daily total intake of fluoride increased up to 3.32 mg/child/day. However, at higher levels of daily total intake of fluoride the prevalence of dental caries increased, giving rise to a U-shaped dose-response relationship curve. Conclusion： It is important to monitor total fluoride exposure and protect children from excessive fluoride intake, especially during the years of tooth development.

Health risk from fluoride exposure of a population in selected areas of Tamil Nadu South India

Prevalence of fluorosis is a public health problem in many states of India.It is necessary to find out the different sources through which fluoride enters human metabolism.Only when the sources are identified,suitable remedial measures can be initiated.This study was attempted to find out the contribution of fluoride from various sources such as drinking water,staple food grains,cooked rice,green leafy vegetables and cow milk in the selected area of the study.Percentage of incidence of fluorosis was estimated using a clinical survey.Calculated community fluorosis index values in all the 22 villages were greater than the accepted index value.Fluoride intake from all manor dietary sources of different age groups such as infants,children,adolescents,adults and aged above 70 was determined.The study revealed that,of all the sources,fluoride contribution from drinking water is significant irrespective of age.Hence,it is advised that people of South India,where there similarity in diet pattern,consume drinking water with lesser fluoride to minimize the debilitating effect of fluoride.The study also recommends to the government authorities concerned with supply to provide water with low fluoride level.©2013 Beijing Academy of Food Sciences.Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.All rights reserved.