Comparative evaluation of dental and skeletal fluorosis in an endemic fluorosed district, Salem, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Background:High levels of fluoride in the drinking water, especially ground water, results in skeletal fluorosis which involves the bone and major joints. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of skeletal fluorosis to compare with dental fluorosis in an endemically fluorosed population in the District of Salem, Tamil Nadu.Materials and Methods:Institutional ethical clearance was obtained. A total of 206 patients who reported to the Department of Hematology for blood investigations were the participants in this study. Age, sex, place, weight, height, dental fluorosis, and skeletal complaints were noted down. Body mass index was calculated, and statistical analysis was performed.Results:Dental fluorosis was present in 63.1% and absent in 36.9% of the samples reported. Skeletal fluorosis was present in 24.8% and was absent in 75.2%. A large number of the patients had knee pain and difficulty in bending. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Skeletal fluorosis and age were compared and P value was 0.00 and was significant. Dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis were compared and P value was found to be 0.000 and significant.Discussion and Conclusion:There is a need to take measures to prevent dental and skeletal fluorosis among the residents of Salem district. Calcium balance should be maintained, and fluoride intake should be minimized to reduce the symptoms. The government should provide water with low fluoride level for drinking and cooking. Once the symptoms develop, treatment largely remains symptomatic, using analgesics and physiotherapy.

Defluoridation Potential of Rice Husk, Groundnut Shell as a Conventional Alternative for Fluoride Removal – A Review

“…With recent developments in the avenue of patient care and management, Fluorosis can be prevented through early diagnosis and prompt mitigation. Diet editing to avoid fluoride contaminated drinking water and food is an intervention that the patients are introduced to, for avoiding the damage [33]. Defluoridation should be taken seriously to prevent community damage.…”

“…Dental fluorosis is a permanent hypomineralization of enamel that is characterized by greater surface and subsurface porosity than in normal enamel and results from exposure of the immature tooth to excess fluoride during development stages [31,32]. Dental fluorosis can be easily recognised, but the skeletal involvement is not clinically obvious until the advanced stage of crippling is reached [33].…”

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“…Excess fluoride, however, accumulates in blood cells, soft tissues, and hard tissues leading to systemic disorders. Bones and teeth being maximally affected and visual change of skeletal fluorosis and dental fluorosis may be observed 3 .…”

Sorption of Fluoride and Bacterial Disinfection Property of Biosynthesized Nanofibrous Cellulose Decorated Ag–MgO–Nanohydroxyapatite Composite for Household Water Treatment

“…Fluoride, below the recommended limit of 1.5 mg/L, is an important component in preventing tooth cavities, and facilitating the mineralization of bone, dental enamel, and arduous tissues in humans [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. However, in excess, it can be detrimental to human health, leading to dental or crippling skeletal fluorosis [ 8 , 11 , 12 ]. Besides fluoride epidemics, most acute water related diseases are often associated with the consumption of infectious microbes from contaminated water, which are responsible for about 2.2 million deaths yearly in developing countries [ 8 , 13 , 14 ].…”