WHAT IS FLUOROSIS?
Dental fluorosis is seen as small white flecks in the surface enamel of teeth. In minor cases it is usually not visible to patients but in more advanced cases it appears as large white patches or occasional pits in the tooth surface. After some years, stains may penetrate the white patches and they can appear brown. Receiving excess doses of fluoride during the formation of teeth causes fluorosis. This can occur by eating or swallowing excessive amounts of toothpaste or exceeding the dose when taking fluoride tablets. It can also occur where there is excess fluoride in natural water supplies or a combination of all three. In extreme or severe cases of fluorosis the teeth are unsightly and may need treatment to improve their appearance.
Fluorosis is a disease caused by excessive ingestion of fluoride through water and or food. The upper limit of optimum fluoride level in drinking water for a tropical country like India is 0.5 PPM or 0.5 Mg/l. China fixed 0.7 PPM as upper safe limit in drinking water. It is the total daily intake through water and food that determines the development of fluorosis. Nearly all foods contain fluoride and the upper limit of safe total intake of fluoride from water and food per day for an adult is 8 mg.
