Distinguishing between enamel fluorosis and other enamel defects in permanent teeth of children

Abstract

Background. The inconsistent prevalence of fluorosis for a given level of fluoride in drinking water suggests developmental defects of enamel (DDEs) other than fluorosis were being misdiagnosed as fluorosis. The imprecise definition and subjective perception of fluorosis indices could result in misdiagnosis of dental fluorosis. This study was conducted to distinguish genuine fluorosis from fluorosis-resembling defects that could have adverse health-related events as a cause using Early Childhood Events Life-grid method (ECEL).Methods. A study was conducted on 400 9-year-old children from areas with high, optimal and low levels of fluoride in the drinking water of Fars province, Iran. Fluorosis cases were diagnosed on the standardized one view photographs of the anterior teeth using Dean’s and TF (Thylstrup and Fejerskov) Indices by calibrated dentists. Agreements between examiners were tested. Early childhood health-related data collected retrospectively by ECEL method were matched with the position of enamel defects.Results. Using both Dean and TF indices three out of four dentists diagnosed that 31.3% (115) children had fluorosis, 58.0%, 29.1%, and 10.0% in high (2.12–2.85 ppm), optimal (0.62–1.22 ppm), and low (0.24–0.29 ppm) fluoride areas respectively (p < 0.001). After matching health-related events in the 115 (31.3%) of children diagnosed with fluorosis, 31 (8.4%) of children had fluorosis which could be matched with their adverse health-related events. This suggests that what was diagnosed as fluorosis were non-fluoride related DDEs that resemble fluorosis.Discussion. The frequently used measures of fluorosis appear to overscore fluorosis. Use of ECEL method to consider health related events relevant to DDEs could help to differentiate between genuine fluorosis and fluorosis-resembling defects.

Lactobacillus johnsonii BS15 improves intestinal environment against fluoride-induced memory impairment in mice—a study based on the gut–brain axis hypothesis

“…The risk of high fluoride intake from food is also increasing because of the increased fluorine-containing crop protection compounds ( Maienfisch & Hall, 2004 ). The most well-known fluoride-induced negative influences are on teeth (dental fluorosis) ( Sabokseir, Golkari & Sheiham, 2016 ) and skeleton (skeletal fluorosis) ( Littleton, 1999 ; Wang et al, 2019 ). Workers exposed to high fluoride suffer from drowsiness and impaired learning and memory ( Czerwiński & Lankosz, 1978 ).…”

Awareness of dental fluorosis among undergraduate dental students in Riyadh region: a survey based study

“…19 In dentistry prevention is better than the cure so we can prevent fluorosis with little simple ways like reducing amount of fluoride intake by using toothpaste with less amount of fluoride, drinking water with optimal fluoride level recommended by WHO which is 1ppm. 20,21…”

Peer Review #1 of "Lactobacillus johnsonii BS15 improves intestinal environment against fluoride-induced memory impairment in mice—a study based on the gut–brain axis hypothesis (v0.2)"

“…The risk of high fluoride intake from food is also increasing because of the increased fluorine-containing crop protection compounds (Maienfisch & Hall, 2004). The most well-known fluoride-induced negative influences are on teeth (dental fluorosis) (Sabokseir , Golkari & Sheiham, 2016) and skeleton (skeletal fluorosis) (Littleton et al, 1999;Wang et al, 2019). Workers exposed to high fluoride suffer from drowsiness and impaired learning and PeerJ reviewing PDF | (2020:02:46283:3:0:CHECK 4 Sep 2020)…”