Abstract | OBJECTIVES: To study the dental fluorosis and caries in the permanent teeth of 12 to 13-year-old children in fluorosis-endemic areas; to assess the relationship between fluorosis and the fluoride content of the drinking water and the relationship between caries and the fluoride content of the water; finally, to analyze the effect of fluoride intake and water stored in clay pots on dental fluorosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 477 children were divided into 5 groups (A to E) according to the fluoride concentration of the waters, i.e. by 0.4, 1.0, 1.8, 3.5, and 5.6 mg F/l, respectively. Dental fluorosis was assessed by TF score and caries by the DMF-T index. A questionnaire was used to obtain information about water storage and other information relevant to children's fluoride intake. RESULTS: A positive relationship was found between the mean TF scores and the water fluoride concentration. In groups B and D, the TF score was higher in 13-year-olds than in 12-year-olds. Caries prevalence and mean DMF-T ranged from 2.6% and 0.03 (group E) to 22.1% and 0.38 (group A). Storage of water in clay pots seemed to increase the severity of fluorosis slightly, and to decrease the caries prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: Defluoridation of drinking water, or--alternatively--the provision of low- fluoride water sources, should be given high priority in the examined Shaanxi rural areas. Fluoride concentration of drinking water should be maximum 0.6 mg/l. Storage of water in the local clay pots may increase the severity of dental fluorosis.
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Authors | Jian-Ping Ruan, Zhuang-Qun Yang, Zhi-Lun Wang, Anne Nordrehaug Astrøm, Asgeir Bårdsen, Kjell Bjorvatn |
Journal | Acta odontologica Scandinavica
(Acta Odontol Scand)
Vol. 63
Issue 5
Pg. 258-65
(Oct 2005)
ISSN: 0001-6357 [Print] England |
PMID | 16419430
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Aluminum Silicates
- Fluorides
- Clay
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Aluminum Silicates
- Child
- China
(epidemiology)
- Clay
- Cooking and Eating Utensils
- Dental Caries
(epidemiology)
- Dentition, Permanent
- Epidemiologic Methods
- Female
- Fluorides
(analysis, toxicity)
- Fluorosis, Dental
(epidemiology)
- Humans
- Male
- Rural Population
(statistics & numerical data)
- Water Supply
(analysis)
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