title: High-fluoride drinking water, fluorosis, and dental caries in adults.
abstract: This study measures the prevalence and distribution of dental fluorosis and coronal caries in lifelong adult residents of two New Mexico communities. One community has a natural fluoride concentration of approximately 0.7 mg/L in its drinking water, optimum for the climate, and the water of the other community is naturally fluoridated at approximately 3.5 mg/L, five times optimum. The differences between the communities in amounts of dental fluorosis and any reduced susceptibility to dental caries associated with higher levels of fluorosis, particularly in molars, the teeth most susceptible to decay, are discussed.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Eklund
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Burt
authors.forename: A I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Calderone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004245:DMF Index; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D003733:Dental Caries Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D005459:Fluorides / Q000032:analysis*; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009516:New Mexico; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D005459:Fluorides