Evaluation of the influence of serum and salivary fluoride levels on periodontal disease status in endemic fluorosis patients

Abstract

Background: The major determinant of the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis has been shown to be the concentration fluoride in the water consumed, but limited studies are available evaluating the effects of fluoride concentration on periodontal disease status. Aims: The aim of this study is to estimate the levels of fluoride in saliva, serum and in ground water of the villages where the subjects hail from and to correlate the levels of fluoride in serum and saliva to the periodontal disease severity. Materials and Methods: A total number of 120 subjects selected for the study are divided into two groups. Group A (test group) consisted of dental subjects diagnosed with dental fluorosis and periodontitis. Group B (control group) consisted of 20 non-fluorosed subjects. Assesment of fluoride in saliva and serum has been done by ion selective electrode method. The periodontal status was measured using the community periodontal index and clinical attachment level? Scores and were compared between the groups. Statistical Analysis Used: Correlation of altered fluoride levels in serum and saliva to the periodontal disease severity was done using the Pearson correlation coefficient and one-way analysis of variance was used for inter group comparison. Results and Conclusions: No correlation was found between salivary and fluoride levels and the periodontal disease severity. However, mean salivary fluoride levels were found to significantly influence the dental fluorosis severity.