THE INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS FLUORIDE EXPOSURES ON THE PREVALENCE OF AESTHETIC PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM DENTAL FLUOROSIS

Objectives: This study sought to determine Vie prevalence of esthetic problems due to dental fluorosis, and determine the relationship of di fferent fluoride exposure histories to the occurrence of these problem s. Methods: In 1993-94 2,715 children in grades 2 and 3 and 3,297 adol escents in grades 8 and 9 were examined by four dentists. Questionnair es detailing exposures to various fluoride technologies were collected from 3,022 of these study participants. Esthetic ratings of We partic ipants' maxillary anterior teeth were made by the examiners, the parti cipants themselves and their parents using questionnaires designed for this purpose. Results: Data indicate that 46 percent of the participa nts had dental fluorosis. Only 40 percent had fluorosis on anterior ma xillary teeth. The prevalence of esthetic problems ranged from about 1 percent to 4 percent, depending on how an esthetic problem was define d Esthetic problems as defined by the participant were more prevalent for the ''over 11'' age group. Logistic regression results demonstrate d significant associations between several of We classifications of es thetic problems and the use of fluoride supplements and dentifrices, a nd exposure to fluoridated water during the third year of life. Conclu sions: Results suggest that the prevalence of esthetic problems is low in the communities surveyed, and that exposure to any number of fluor ide technologies in the third year of life can increase a child's risk for this problem.