Molar‐incisor hypomineralization (MIH), dental fluorosis, and caries in rural areas with different fluoride levels in the drinking water

Abstract

Aim This study determined the prevalence of molar‐incisor hypomineralization (MIH) and its association with dental fluorosis and caries in children living in rural areas in north‐eastern Brazil who are exposed to residual fluoride (F) levels in the drinking water. Design A census was carried out with 610 schoolchildren aged 6 to 12 years. The European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry criteria, Thysltrup and Fejerskov index, and World Health Organization index were used for diagnosis of MIH, dental fluorosis, and caries detection, respectively. The association between the outcome and exposure variables was determined by robust Poisson regression (P < .05). Results Water F‐levels varied from 0.06 to 1.98 ppm. MIH was not related to fluoride levels in the drinking water, but it showed an inverse and direct correlation with dental caries and fluorosis, respectively. Children with MIH had a higher DMFT, and severe MIH cases were most frequent in children with dental fluorosis. Conclusion Drinking water F‐levels were not directly related to the occurrence of MIH in schoolchildren. The severity of MIH, however, was likely to be associated with dental fluorosis in areas with moderate to high fluoride levels in the drinking water.

Prevalence and Distribution of Molar Incisor Hypomineralization in children receiving dental care in Caracas Metropolitan Area, Venezuela

“…Findings in the current study also suggest that MIH can be found simultaneously with demarcated opacities in premolars and canines, and/or diffuse opacities compatible with dental fluorosis. The co-occurrence of MIH and dental fluorosis has also been reported recently in schoolchildren in Brazil 29 . In this study, a 20% prevalence of HSPM was determined in a random and adjusted (to dental age) sample of 6-to 12-year-old children who received dental care in Caracas Metropolitan Area, with significant difference between sexes, girls being more affected than boys.…”

Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH): prevalence and degree of severity in a Mexican pediatric population living in an endemic fluorosis area

“…Although the relationship between fluoride and enamel defects has been well documented, these defects present very differently to MIH. 43 According to Fernandes et al, 36 MIH was not associated to the drinking water fluoride levels, but they demonstrated a direct correlation with higher CPOD values in schoolchildren; they also reported that severity of MIH was likely to be associated with dental fluorosis in areas with moderate to high fluoride levels in the drinking water. Although we observed that degree 2 of MIH severity was the most frequently observed in our study (76.4 percent), we also found that degree 5 of MIH severity was present in 15.9 percent of the participants, with ICDAS 5 and 6 codes.…”

“…As a consequence, there is a predisposition to significant retention of dental biofilm, tooth brushing difficulties, and a rapid caries progression 11 . Historically, this disorder is also known as “cheese teeth,” “hypomineralized” or “dysmineralized” permanent first molars, “idiopathic enamel hypomineralization,” and “nonfluoride hypomineralization.” 7,12 MIH is relatively frequent in many pediatric populations worldwide, exhibiting a very wide prevalence rate, ranging from 2.4 to over 40 percent 2,4‐6,8,10‐36 …”

“…2,[4][5][6]8, Most of the prevalence studies have been carried out in European and Asian countries; however, there have been several recent reports on this clinical topic in Latin American countries. For instance, Mexico, 11,[25][26][27]34 Brazil, 6,10,35,36 Chile, 13 Argentina/Uruguay, 16 and Colombia 23 ; the determined prevalence rates from these studies varied between 11.2 and 42.4 percent. Specifically, five studies have been conducted in México in well-definite and limited geographic zones, on school children from Mexico City and Naucalpan (Estado de México).…”

Impact of molar incisor hypomineralization on oral hygiene and gingival health in 8–15‐years‐old children

“…4 The most common clinical problems caused by MIH are a loss of dental hard tissue, attrition, hypersensitivity to temperature variation and tooth brushing, increased plaque accumulation and the risk of tooth decay. 5,6 Although MIH causes destruction of the enamel tissue in the affected teeth, it can also cause changes in the dentin and pulp tissues. 7 Studies investigating hypomineralized permanent first molars have shown that these teeth lead to an increase in immunocytochemical innervation and immune response in dental tissues.…”