title: Use of fluoride by young children and prevalence of mottled enamel.
abstract: The prevalence of mottled enamel in the permanent dentition of children participating in a fluoride (F-) program at the dental school of the Vrije Universiteit (Amsterdam) was investigated in a study utilizing the Thylstrup-Fejerskov (TF) index. The randomly chosen children received a F- regime considered optimal by the Dutch Advisory Committee for Prevention of Oral and Dental Diseases. From the children examined (n = 83; 49 boys and 34 girls; mean age, 13 years and 5 months), 74% exhibited mottled enamel in a slight to moderate degree. More teeth were affected and the degree of mottling was higher when children started to use F- at an earlier age. Unintentional ingestion of toothpaste containing 0.15% F- during frequent toothbrushing in combination with the daily intake of F- tablets before the age of four may explain the high prevalence of mottled enamel. After these treatments, F- concentrations in plasma of young children can reach values which can directly affect the developing tooth germ.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Wöltgens
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Etty
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Nieuwland
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Lyaruu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003802:Dentifrices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014071:Tooth Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014100:Toothpastes / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D003802:Dentifrices; D014100:Toothpastes; D005459:Fluorides