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New research indicates that children who
get too much fluoride via toothpaste and fluoridated water may suffer
from a condition known as fluorosis, which causes tooth
discoloration.
The investigators compared rates of fluorosis among 8- and 9-year-old
children who lived in communities with and without fluoridated water.
They examined permanent incisor teeth for discoloration and interviewed
parents about their child's use of fluoride toothpaste.
54% of children in areas with fluoridated water had fluorosis,
compared with 23% in areas where the water was not fluoridated.
Interestingly, children who came from low-income areas were found
to be at lower risk, possibly because they used less fluoride-containing
tooth products.
One of the authors notes, in an interview, that fluorosis is a
purely cosmetic problem and can be treated with bleach.
"Use of a child's toothpaste (with lower fluoride concentration)
could decrease risk in a fluoridated area," according to one
of the researchers.
British Dental Journal August
26, 2000;189:216-220.
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