Fluorides and non-skeletal fluorosis

Fluorides play a central role in prevention of dental caries. Fluoride is added to drinking water supplies or to salt and/or milk in regions where fluoridation of central water supplies is not possible. As dietary supplements for children these are also available in the form of tablets and drops. The widespread use of these various vehicles for the systemic or topical delivery of fluoride is undoubtedly responsible in large part for the remarkable decline in the prevalence of dental caries. The well established inverse relationship between the fluoride concentrations of drinking water and the prevalence of dental caries has stimulated extensive research aimed at determining the optimum level of fluoride ingestion required to obtain maximum protection against dental caries. Fluoride in excess, anywhere in the ecosystem has been shown to have potential to affect the body systems adversely. A clinical condition caused by ingestion of excess fluoride over a long period is termed as fluorosis. It affects multiple tissues, organs and systems of the body and results in a variety of clinical manifestations, culminating in a crippling condition and or damaged and discolored teeth.