Fluorosis picture, treatment, causes, symptoms

Fluorosis is a crippling and painful disease caused by intake of fluoride. It can affect young and old; men and women alike. Fluorosis is not limited to humans, and can affect any aspect of the ecosystem. Fluoride deficiency may appear in the form of increased cavities, and weak bones and teeth. It may result from chronic inhalation of industrial dusts or gases contaminated with fluorides, prolonged ingestion of water containing large amounts of fluorides, or accidental ingestion of fluoride-containing insecticides.

Causes of Flurosis

• drinking water with fluoride concentration >8 ppm (several cases in Spain)
• agricultural or industrial contamination (Texas, Arizona)

Fluorosis Types: There are three types of Fluorosis given below with their information:

Dental Fluorosis

Dental fluorosis is an irreversible condition caused by excessive ingestion of fluoride during the tooth forming years. Dental fluorosis, of esthetic concern, is an expensive condition to treat.

Skeletal Fluorosis

Skeletal fluorosis is a bone disease exclusively caused by excessive consumption of fluoride . In India fluorosis is caused by the intake of fluoride-laden water derived from borewells dug deep into the earth.

Systemic Fluorosis

Systemic Fluorosis is due to the chemical nature of Fluoride and its action(s) within mammalian systems which are not limited to teeth and bone, Fluoride toxicity may potentially be linked to every major multiple cause ailment of the 20th century from cancer to Attention Deficit Disorder.