Fluorosis and periodontium: A report of our institutional studies

Abstract

Fluorosis is a world-wide prevalent endemic disease due to high-fluoride water intake, especially in the developing countries. Among the various environmental etiological factors, the influence of high-fluoride water intake on the periodontium is still unexplored. With this background, we conducted a group of epidemiological and in vitro studies in a single group of the population residing in high-fluoride water areas (1.5-3.0 ppm) of Davangere district, Karnataka, India. The studies not only explored an epidemiological association between fluorosis and periodontal disease, but also the influence of fluorosis on periodontal structures along with the comparison of influence of periodontal treatment on fluorosed and nonfluorosed teeth. These preliminary studies conducted in our institution are hereby elaborately presented and discussed in this article along with their important conclusions. The results of these studies necessitate further exploration of the influence of high-fluoride water intake on the periodontium in other affected populations of the world.