FLUORIDE CONTENT OF DAIRY MILK FROM SUPERMARKET - A POSSIBLE CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO DENTAL FLUOROSIS

Fluoride analyses were carried out an 42 different types and brands of milk obtained from supermarkets. The average fluoride content of dair y milk is 0.030 ppm, with a range of 0.007 to 0.068. Soy milk contains as much as 0.491 ppm fluoride. infant daily fluoride intake as low as 0.04 mg/kg body weight can result in fluorosis of the permanent denti tion. Therefore, in view of the very large variation in milk fluoride content, it is suggested that daily consumption of milk with high fluo ride content could be a contributing factor to increased prevalence of dental fluorosis. in view of results of the present study, monitoring of fluoride content in dairy milk available from supermarkets may be necessary.