Journal of Dental Research, Vol 66, 10-12, Copyright © 1987 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Patterns of dental fluorosis in a European country in relation to the fluoride concentration of drinking water
M. J. Larsen, E. Kirkegaard and S. Poulsen
Dental fluorosis among 456 14-16-year-old schoolchildren who had resided
continuously since birth in their respective study areas was recorded using
the Thylstrup and Fejerskov classification system. The children fell into
four groups according to fluoride concentration of their drinking water:
(1) less than or equal to 0.1 ppm; (2) 0.3-0.5 ppm; (3) 0.5-1.25 ppm; and
(4) 1.26-2.0 ppm. It was found that the later in childhood the tooth was
formed, the higher was the prevalence of dental fluorosis. The fluoride
concentration in the drinking water affected the prevalence of dental
fluorosis in all teeth except the lower incisors, which are formed very
early in life. Apart from these teeth, the proportionate increase of dental
fluorosis with increasing water fluoride concentration was almost the same
for all tooth types. However, the actual amount of increase in the
prevalence and degree of fluorosis was greatest among those teeth that
formed later during childhood. The observed fluorosis is presumed to result
from and reflect the drinking water habits in the population as well as the
patterns of use of fluoride prophylactics.
