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For more than half a century, fluoridated drinking water has benefited public health by protecting against tooth decay. Recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one of the top 10 public health measures ever initiated, fluoridation has contributed to a 75 percent decline in tooth decay in Indiana during the past 25 years.
With a decline in tooth decay, there has been an increase in dental fluorosis, a condition which affects the cosmetic development of tooth enamel.
With a $1.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, researchers at the IU School of Dentistry hope to determine the role genetics play in making people more susceptible or resistant to dental fluorosis.
Dental fluorosis affects the appearance and structure of tooth enamel and can occur following ingestion of excess fluoride during critical periods of tooth development. The risk of dental fluorosis is highest for children less than 6 years of age when permanent teeth are still developing in the gums. After eruption, teeth can have white spots and appear slightly whiter than normal.
“Currently, there is a great variation in the prevalence of fluorosis in the country depending on location, naturally occurring fluoride in the groundwater and the multiple sources of fluoride available to individuals,” said Dr. Eric T. Everett, assistant professor of Oral Facial Genetics at IU School of Dentistry and principal investigator of the study. “We do not understand why some individuals develop fluorosis and others do not. The knowledge we obtain from this study will help us better understand the role of genetics in the development of fluorosis and further investigate the optimal use of fluorides in the prevention of dental caries while minimizing fluorosis occurrence.”
The study is scheduled to continue over four years.
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