Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Benefits and risks of fluoride supplementation: Caries prevention versus dental fluorosis

  • Preventive Pediatrics and Epidemiology
  • Published:
European Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

To assess the risks (dental fluorosis) and the benefits (caries prevention) of fluoride (F) tablets and F toothpaste, we surveyed 2003 schoolchildren aged 5–20 years old (mean=10.82, SD=3.40). Children were scored for dental caries by means of the decayed, missing, filled teeth index (DMFT index). Frequent use of F toothpaste (toothbrushing frequency) is poorly linked to caries (Spearmanr=0.05,P=0.02) and dental fluorosis (r=0.05,P=0.03). Children who use F tablets regularly and appropriately exhibit mild fluorosis more often than non- or occasional users (odds ratio=9.58), and have a mean DMFT index 50% lower than other children. We conclude that using F tablets is an effective means of preventing caries. When used appropriately in non fluoridated areas, using F tablets results in minor damage.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

DMFT:

decayed, missing, filled teeth

F:

fluoride

References

  1. Aaseden R, Peebles TC (1978) Effects of fluoride supplementation from birth on dental caries and fluorosis in teenage children. Arch Oral Biol 23:111–115

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Ainoma J, Holmberg, S (1973) A retrospective longitudinal study of caries prevalence during and 7 years after free dental care at school in Finland. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 1:30–36

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Ainoma J, Parviainen K (1979) Occurrence of plaque, gingivitis and caries as related to self-reported frequency of toothbrushing in fluoride areas in Finland. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 7:142–146

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Armitage P, Berry G (1987) Statistical methods in medical research, 2d edn. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, pp 399–405

    Google Scholar 

  5. Beltran E, Burt BA (1988) The pre- and posteruptive effects of fluoride in the caries decline. J Public Health Dent 48:233–240

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Crousaz P de (1982) Observations sur les opacités d'email en Suisse, en rapport avec la fluoration de l'eau ou du sel. Rev Mens Suisse Odonto-Stomatol 92:332–344

    Google Scholar 

  7. Dean HT, Arnold FA, Jay P, Knutson JW (1950) Studies on mass control of dental caries through fluoridation of the public water supply. Public Health Rep 65:1403–1408

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Ekstrand J, Fejerskov O, Siverstone LM (1988) Fluoride in dentistry. Munksgaard, Copenhagen

    Google Scholar 

  9. Franz FE, Baume LJ (1983) Statistical correlation between oral hygiene and dental caries tested in Haitian and Hamburg children. Helv Odont Acta 27:25–56

    Google Scholar 

  10. Klein H, Palmer CE (1940) Studies on dental caries. X. A Procedure for the recording and statistical processing of dental examination findings. J Dent Res 19:243–256

    Google Scholar 

  11. Lemeshow S, Hosmer DW (1984) Estimating odds ratios with categorically scaled covariates in multiple logistic regression analysis. Am J Epidemiol 119:147–151

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. McGuire S (1989) Fluoride content of bottled water. N Engl J Med 321:836–837

    Google Scholar 

  13. Moller IJ, Poulsen S (1973) A standardized system for diagnosing, recording and analysing dental caries data. Scand J Dent Res 81:1–11

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Organisation Mondiale de la Santé (1977) Enquêtes sur la santé bucco-dentaire — Méthodes fondamentales, 2d edn. Publications de l'OMS, Genève

    Google Scholar 

  15. Statistical Analysis System 1986 SAS User's Guide. SAS Institute Inc., Cary (NC)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Szpunar SM, Burt BA (1987) Trends in the prevalence of dental fluorosis in the United States: a review. J Public Health Dent 47:71–79

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Szpunar SM, Burt BA (1988) Dental caries, fluorosis, and fluoride exposure in Michigan Schoolchildren. J Dent Res 67:802–806

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Taves DR (1983) Dietary intake of fluoride ashed (total fluoride) versus unashed (inorganic fluoride) analysis of individual foods. Br J Nutr 49:295–301

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Thylstrup A, Fejerskov O (1978) Clinical appearance of dental fluorosis in permanent teeth in relation to histologic changes. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 6:315–328

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Van Nieuwenhuysen JP, D'Hoore W (1990) Le déclin de la carie dentaire dans les nations industrialisées: revue de la littérature. Louvain Med 109:731–747

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Public Health, Catholic University of Louvain, 30 Clos Chapelle-aux-Champs Box 3037, B-1200, Brussels, Belgium

    W. D'Hoore

  2. School of Dentistry and Stomatology, Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium

    J. -P. Van Nieuwenhuysen

Authors
  1. W. D'Hoore
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. -P. Van Nieuwenhuysen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

D'Hoore, W., Van Nieuwenhuysen, J.P. Benefits and risks of fluoride supplementation: Caries prevention versus dental fluorosis. Eur J Pediatr 151, 613–616 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01957733

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01957733

Key words

Search

Navigation