Caries in Deciduous Teeth in Relation to Maternal Ingestion of Fluoride

Abstract

THE prophylactic effect of fluoride in the pre,vention of dental ca,ries is well established, and this effect is known to be greate.st when teeth are exposed during the period of calcification. Since much of the enamel of deciduo-us teeth calcifies prior to birth, the po,ssible benefit from maternal ingestion of fluoride during pre,gnancy is a subject of both practical and theoretical interest. A recent report (1) states that 25 ppm of fluoride (a,s Na,F) in water given rats during gestation had no effect on caries incidence in the offspring. Evidence regarding transplacental passage of fluoride is conflicting. The existence of a placental barrier which mediates and perhaps impedes the transfer of the ion has been suggested (2, 3). However, in man, a considerably higher cord-blood fluoride concentration has been demonstrated with mothers exposed to fluoridated water throughout pregnancy (4). Although these investigations are of interest, they do not answer the fundamental question as to the effects of maternal ingestion of fluoride during pregnancy on the occurrence of caries in the deciduous teeth of offspring. This report provides such information for 178 children who were in utero before and after the beginning of water fluoridation in Newburglh, N.Y.