Abstract

Our objective was to evaluate whether there is an association with the different levels of dental fluorosis and the presence of dental trauma amongst school children. A transversal study was conducted amongst school children from the age of 12. Dental examinations were conducted by 24 well trained and fully qualified dental surgeons. Data was collected from 36 randomly selected public schools amongst 89 schools in a municipality. The criteria used to diagnose dental fluorosis was based on the Dean’s fluorosis Index and for diagnosing dental trauma we looked for clinical signs of crown fractures and dental avulsions. Multiple descriptive analysis, which was bivariate, was carried out. Amongst the 2,755 school children that took part in the study 1,089 (39.6%) were diagnosed with dental fluorosis and 106 (3.8%) had one tooth or more with dental trauma. We noted a high prevalence of dental fluorosis, independent of the level of severity, amongst individuals with one tooth or more who had dental trauma. This association was even more evident where there were severely high levels of fluorosis. We also noted that the presence of fluorosis was greater amongst those that actively paid more attention to discoloration on their teeth and who received treatment from a dental professional at their schools. Nevertheless dental fluorosis was associated with the presence of dental trauma, independent of its severity.

Oral Hygiene; Fluorosis; Dental trauma; Epidemiology

Introduction

Fluoride (fluorine) has been noted as one of the main minerals that prevents and controls dental cavities¹1. Marinho VC, Higgins JP, Sheiham A, Logan S. Fluoride toothpastes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2003; (1):CD002278.^,22. Marinho VC1, Higgins JP, Sheiham A, Logan S. Combinations of topical fluoride (toothpastes, mouthrinses, gels, varnishes) versus single topical fluoride for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2004; (1):CD002781.. The wholesale use of fluoride has contributed to the exponential decline in dental related diseases³3. Bratthall D, Hänsel-Petersson G, Sundberg H. Reasons for the caries decline: what do the experts believe? Eur J Oral Sci 1996; 104(4 (Pt 2)):416-422.

4. Cury JA, Tenuta LM. How to maintain a cariostatic fluoride concentration in the oral environment. Adv Dent Res 2008; 20(1):13-16.^-55. Ellwood RP, Fejerskov O, Cury JA, Clarkson B. Fluoride in caries control. In: Fejerskov O, Kidd E, editors. Dental caries: The disease and its clinical management. 2nd ed. Oxford: Blackwell & Munksgaard; 2008. p. 287-323.. Notwithstanding the obvious benefits of fluoride, it is necessary to be attentive to this ion having possible toxic effects in organisms if it is used in quantities beyond recommended doses. It was highlighted that this toxic effect can be classified as acute and chronic. It is deemed as chronic when, having ingested it on a frequent basis during the period when your teeth are in development, dental fluorosis occurs⁶6. Holloway PJ, Ellwood RP. The prevalence, causes and cosmetic importance of dental fluorosis in the United Kingdom: a review. Community Dent Health 1997; 14(3):148-155.^,77. Fejerskov O, Manji F, Baelum V. The nature and mechanisms of dental fluorosis in man. J Dent Res 1990; 69(Spec No):692-700..

Dental fluorosis is diagnosed based on the porosity levels in the structure of the teeth (hypomineralization)⁷7. Fejerskov O, Manji F, Baelum V. The nature and mechanisms of dental fluorosis in man. J Dent Res 1990; 69(Spec No):692-700.. It becoming aesthetically noticeable depends on the level of doses that the person has taken. Its prevalence in different countries varies widely with percentages ranging from: 16.7% in Brazil⁸8. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde (MS). Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Departamento de Atenção Básica. Coordenação Nacional de Saúde Bucal. Projeto SB Brasil 2010: condições de saúde bucal da população brasileira 2010: resultados principais. Brasilia: MS; 2011., 27.2% in Australia⁹9. Do LG, Spencer AJ, Ha DH. Association between dental caries and fluorosis among South Australian children. Caries Res 2009; 43(5):366-373. and 82.0% in India¹⁰10. Naidu GM, Rahamthullah SA, Kopuri RK, Kumar YA, Suman SV, Balaga RN. Prevalence and self perception of Dental Fluorosis among 15 year old school children in Prakasham district of south India. J Int Oral Health 2013; 5(6):67-71.. Where it exists, the levels of fluorosis are generally low. Its potential to harm is based on the concentration of fluoride from the plasma which is influenced by the total ingestion of fluorine. It is also influenced by: the type of ingestion that takes place, the functioning of the renal system and metabolic activity¹¹11. DenBesten P, Li W. Chronic Fluoride Toxicity: Dental Fluorosis. Monogr Oral Sci 2011; 22:81-96.. Clinically speaking, fluorosis can vary in degree from making the teeth’s enamel appear opaque to more severe cases where brown blotches appear¹¹11. DenBesten P, Li W. Chronic Fluoride Toxicity: Dental Fluorosis. Monogr Oral Sci 2011; 22:81-96..

Histologically speaking, fluorite enamel is very porous and hypomineralized. It contents a high level of prosthetic matrix and this becomes particularly evident when the quantity of fluorosis reaches dangerous levels¹¹11. DenBesten P, Li W. Chronic Fluoride Toxicity: Dental Fluorosis. Monogr Oral Sci 2011; 22:81-96.^,1212. Fejerskov O, Larsen MJ, Richards A, Baelum V. Dental tissue effects of fluoride. Adv Dent Res 1994; 8(1):15-31.. Aside from this, teeth with high levels of fluorosis can be more susceptible to deterioration which is probably due to surface irregularities or the loss of the external protective layer¹¹11. DenBesten P, Li W. Chronic Fluoride Toxicity: Dental Fluorosis. Monogr Oral Sci 2011; 22:81-96.^,1212. Fejerskov O, Larsen MJ, Richards A, Baelum V. Dental tissue effects of fluoride. Adv Dent Res 1994; 8(1):15-31.. Taking the aforementioned into consideration, the question remains whether fluorite enamel is not made “more fragile” owing to the existence and worsening of injuries from different external impacts such as those related to dental trauma.

Up until this moment in time no identification has been made between the presence of dental fluorosis and dental trauma in epidemiological studies done on populations in this area. Therefore this present study sought to investigate if the presence of dental fluorosis at dangerously high levels has any associations with dental trauma amongst school children.

Methodology

Details of the Study Parameters and the Sample Used

This transversal study was conducted amongst school children from the age of 12 in Montes Claros (Minas Gerais - Brazil) in a Brazilian municipality that has a large population. Information was obtained from the Epidemiological Study on the Oral Hygiene of the population of Montes Claros (hereafter SBMOC)¹³13. Martins AMEBL, Guimarães ALS, De’Paula AMB, Pires CPB, Haikal DAS, Silva JMS, Silveira MF, Caldeira TCR, Eleutério NB, Silveira AM, Almeida BM, Almeida CM, Freitas CV, Botelho DMM, Chaves KTS, Pereira PMB, Lima RS, Pereira SM, Silva TF, Duarte VM, Silva VEP, Pordeus IA. Levantamento epidemiológico das condições de saúde bucal da população de Montes Claros - Projeto SBMOC. RUC 2012; 14(1):3-14. done in 2010, following the criteria adopted at SB Brazil 2002/2003¹⁴14. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde (MS). Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Departamento de Atenção Básica. Coordenação Nacional de Saúde Bucal. Projeto SB Brasil 2003. Condições de saúde bucal da população brasileira 2002-2003: resultados principais. Brasília: MS; 2004. and which was recommended by WHO¹⁵15. Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS). Oral Health surveys: basic methods. 4ª ed. Geneva: ORH EPID; 1997.. We decided to use children from the age of 12 since, at the time of this study, this was the age when children finished primary school. Also in many countries it is the last age where it is possible to obtain reliable samples through school systems¹⁵15. Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS). Oral Health surveys: basic methods. 4ª ed. Geneva: ORH EPID; 1997.. The dental examinations were done by highly trained and qualified dental surgeons (Kappa inter-examiners and intra-examiners and the correlation coefficient intra-class ≥ 0.61) with the support of interviewers/note takers. It was conducted in a well-lit area that had natural light with the use of a mirror and a CPI sterilized probe.

The first phase of the study was done with school children from the age of 12 (n = 357 school children) in which we identified the prevalence of dental cavities (39.2%) and fluorosis (49.0%). We did our calculations on a representative sample of school children from the age of 12 in the municipality. They were not representatives with reference to these problems¹³13. Martins AMEBL, Guimarães ALS, De’Paula AMB, Pires CPB, Haikal DAS, Silva JMS, Silveira MF, Caldeira TCR, Eleutério NB, Silveira AM, Almeida BM, Almeida CM, Freitas CV, Botelho DMM, Chaves KTS, Pereira PMB, Lima RS, Pereira SM, Silva TF, Duarte VM, Silva VEP, Pordeus IA. Levantamento epidemiológico das condições de saúde bucal da população de Montes Claros - Projeto SBMOC. RUC 2012; 14(1):3-14.^,1616. Oliveira LFB, Ferreira RC, Oliveira CC, Oliveira MP, Rodrigues CAQ, Dourado MR, Santos-Neto PE, Freitas CV, Eleutério NB, Martins AMEBL. Levantamento das condições de saúde bucal em escolares de 12 anos no município de Montes Claros, MG. RUC 2012; 14(1):83-98.. Data was collected from 36 randomly selected public schools out of 89 schools in the municipality. This was the number needed to obtain a representative sample. We included in this study school children that were evaluated with reference to the presence or absence of dental fluorosis.

Evaluated Conditions

Dental fluorosis

We registered the existence of fluorosis through following the recommendations from the WHO¹⁵15. Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS). Oral Health surveys: basic methods. 4ª ed. Geneva: ORH EPID; 1997. by using the Dean’s fluorosis Index. The index is based on the visual aspects of the dental enamel ranging from normal/questionable to severe. It has six categories¹⁷17. Dean HT. Classification of mottled enamel diagnosis. J Am Med Assoc 1934; 21:1421-1426.. In terms of measuring the index, a clinical evaluation of all of the teeth in the oral cavity was done. Specific consideration was given to the two most affected teeth and a score was registered based on the WHO¹⁵15. Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS). Oral Health surveys: basic methods. 4ª ed. Geneva: ORH EPID; 1997. recommendations. A construction of the dependent variables was done based on the variable outcome with the presence of fluorosis. Due to uncertain diagnosis, the condition considered normal (without fluorosis) was understood through putting together the “normal” and “questionable” scores. This parameter has been used in other previous studies¹⁸18. Toassi RFC, Abegg C. Fluorose dentária em escolares de um município da serra gaúcha, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Cad Saude Publica 2005; 21(2):625-655.^,1919. Freitas CHSM, Sampaio FC, Roncalli AG, Moyses SJ. Reflexões metodológicas sobre prevalência da fluorose dentária nos inquéritos de saúde bucal. Rev Saude Publica 2013; 47(Supl. 3):138-147.. Two variable dependents were made with the first giving consideration to the presence of fluorosis based on putting together the “low” and “very low” scores (with fluorosis). For the second, the presence was characterized by putting together the “moderate” and “severe” scores (with fluorosis). Both were compared to the absence of fluorosis (normal/questionable).

Dental Trauma

An evaluation of dental trauma took into account proposed criteria given by the WHO in 1997¹⁵15. Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS). Oral Health surveys: basic methods. 4ª ed. Geneva: ORH EPID; 1997. for epidemiological studies in oral health and it used the SB Brazil 2002/2003¹⁴14. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde (MS). Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Departamento de Atenção Básica. Coordenação Nacional de Saúde Bucal. Projeto SB Brasil 2003. Condições de saúde bucal da população brasileira 2002-2003: resultados principais. Brasília: MS; 2004.. This included clinical signs of crown fractures and dental avulsions for the top incisors and the bottom permanent ones. Based on the clinical criteria used, we evaluated: the presence of fractures of the enamel (a small loss of a portion of the crown around the enamel), fractures of the enamel and dentine (a loss of the greater part of the crown around the enamel and dentine), fractures of the enamel and dentine with exposure to the pulp (loss of the greater part of the crown around the enamel, dentine and exposure to the pulp) and the absence of a tooth owing to trauma (due to dental avulsion).

In the present study the variable was presented in a dichotomous way. This is because for cases involving dental trauma on at least one tooth, irrespective of the type of fracture, it was characterized as dental trauma on one or more teeth. Where no teeth were affected by dental trauma, this fact was recorded as “absence of dental trauma”.

Independent Variables

The rest of the independent variables were put together in four groups, with their respective subcategories namely: personal determinants, health services/health costs, behavior related to health and health outcomes.

The personal determinants were: sex (female, male), race was self-declared (white/Asian, indigenous(native South American)/black/mix-race) and type of abode (your own or not). The variables that related to health services/health costs were: the use of odontological services (yes/no), the type of odontological services used (public, private/business agreement/philanthropy), the reasons for using the odontological services (routine check-ups, booked treatments), access to oral health guidance through odontological services (yes, no) and odontological assistance at school (no, yes). Behavior related to health was evaluated: the frequency of daily oral hygiene care (2 times or more, once), the means used to ensure oral hygiene (brushing teeth and doing other things, just brushing teeth) and rinsing the mouth with fluoride at school (yes, no). In relation to health care outcomes, we considered as a normal condition, the presence of tooth decay (0, 1 or more teeth). The subjective conditions for oral health that were evaluated were: self-perception of the presence of teeth stains (no/yes), the need for treatment (no, yes) and satisfaction with their teeth’s appearance (yes, no).

Statistical Analysis and Ethical Considerations

In order to analyze the data we used the software SPSS® Statistics 18.0. Descriptive analysis was used in order to obtain the absolute and relative (%) frequencies (n) of the variables. After this, bivariate analysis was done where consideration was given for multiple analysis of the variables that presented significant levels (value-p) that were equal to or less than 0.20. We used logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio with the significant level of 5% and confidence intervals at 95% (OR/CI 95%) for the variables associated to the presence of dental fluorosis. This remained in the models for variables with significant levels of up to 5%. The main ethical issues for this study were deemed to be in accordance with the National Council Resolution for Health (hereafter CNS) in Brazil number 196/96, under the approval of the Ethics Committee for Research Ethics (hereafter CEP/Unimontes.) All of the participants in the study agreed to take part in the tests and they signed a consent form demonstrating that decided to take part based on their own free will.

Results

We included in this study 2,755 school children who were interviewed and evaluated with reference to the presence of fluorosis. Of the children that took part, 1089 (39.6%) were diagnosed with having dental fluorosis in at least one of the levels (low or severe). With reference to dental trauma, only 106 of the school children had one or more teeth with this condition (3.8%). The majority of the school children were: female (53.2%) and self-declared themselves as being indigenous native South Americans/black/mix-raced (79.3%), who used public odontological services (62.1%) and who did not receive odontological assistance at school (50.6%) (Table 1).

In the bivariate analysis the presence of low/very low levels of fluorosis was found which was statistically associated (p ≤ 0,20) with variables belonging to dental trauma, health services, behavior and health care outcomes. The level of fluorosis being moderate/ severe was different in relation to the other levels being very low or low because there associations were maintained. This was also the case for the personal determinants and the health care outcomes (Table 2).

In the multiple analysis we identified that the presence of dental fluorosis was very low/low and this was the case for school children with one or more teeth with dental trauma (p = 0,029). They had the self-perception of the presence of stains on their teeth (p = 0.001). In relation to fluorosis levels being moderate/severe its prevalence was greater amongst school children with one or more teeth with dental trauma (p = 0.001). Within the same group they received odontological assistance at school (p = 0.021) and they had self-perception of the presence of stains on their teeth (p = 0.000) (Table 3).

In relation to the distribution of the presence of dental trauma in accordance with the seriousness of the dental fluorosis, we noted that moderate levels of fluorosis were most prevalent for dental trauma (Graphic 1).

Discussion

The prevalence of dental fluorosis in this study was registered as 39.6% which is a value that was higher than that which was registered in a representative sample of Brazilian children from the age of 12 (16.7%)⁸8. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde (MS). Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Departamento de Atenção Básica. Coordenação Nacional de Saúde Bucal. Projeto SB Brasil 2010: condições de saúde bucal da população brasileira 2010: resultados principais. Brasilia: MS; 2011. . However, it was less than those registered in other countries such as Australia⁹9. Do LG, Spencer AJ, Ha DH. Association between dental caries and fluorosis among South Australian children. Caries Res 2009; 43(5):366-373. and India¹⁰10. Naidu GM, Rahamthullah SA, Kopuri RK, Kumar YA, Suman SV, Balaga RN. Prevalence and self perception of Dental Fluorosis among 15 year old school children in Prakasham district of south India. J Int Oral Health 2013; 5(6):67-71.. Other studies carried out in the state of Minas Gerais showed variations of 11.4 to 62.7%²⁰20. Barros SFB, Matos DL. Prevalência de fluorose dentária em escolares de 12 anos de idade, Ouro Preto/MG – 2003. Rev Bras Epidemiol 2005; 8(4):425-431.^,2121. Costa SM, Abreu MHNG, Vargas AMD, Vasconcelos M, Ferreira EF, de Castilho LS. Cárie dentária e fluorose endêmica em distritos rurais de Minas Gerais, Brasil. Rev Bras Epidemiol 2013; 16(4):1021-1028., however consideration needs to be given to different regional characteristics of the state and the individuals in the study. The other relevant factor is the need for executing and providing information on: the external control of fluoridation of the state’s water, the use of different sources of fluoride and access to toothpaste with fluoride. Aside from this, considering the relevant role of health education in changing behaviors and in health care outcomes²²22. Al-jundi SH, Hammad M, Alwaeli H. The efficacy of a school-based caries preventive program: a 4-year study. Int J Dent Hygiene 2006; 4(1):30-34.

23. Martins AMEBL, Souza JGS, Haikal DS, De Paula AMB, Ferreira EF, Pordeus IA. Prevalência de autoexame bucal é maior entre idosos assistidos no Sistema Único de Saúde: inquérito domiciliar. Cien Saude Colet 2015; 20(4):1085-1098.^-2424. Oliveira RCN, Souza JGS, Oliveira CC, Oliveira LFB, Pelino JEP, Martins AMEBL, Almeida ER. Acesso a informações sobre como evitar problemas bucais entre escolares da Rede Pública de Ensino. Cien Saude Colet 2015; 20(1):85-94., such measures ought to be considered with the intention to avoid the inappropriate use of fluoride.

A worrying result was identified in relation to the existence of fluorosis at severe levels, being 6.3%, when according to the epidemiological research on oral health for Brazilian (2010), such dangerous levels for children from the age of 12 was considered practically no-existent in the country⁸8. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde (MS). Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Departamento de Atenção Básica. Coordenação Nacional de Saúde Bucal. Projeto SB Brasil 2010: condições de saúde bucal da população brasileira 2010: resultados principais. Brasilia: MS; 2011.. We noted that these children lived in regions with fluoridated water (0.74 mg/L de F) where the concentration was within the limits considered acceptable for Brazil (0,6-0,8 mg/L)²⁵25. Ramires I, Buzalaf MAR. A fluoretação da água de abastecimento público e seus benefícios no controle da cárie dentária – cinqüenta anos no Brasil. Cien Saude Colet 2007; 12(4):1057-1065.. Therefore there is a possibility that the ingestion of fluoride occurred through other sources like toothpaste. In studies conducted amongst Brazilian children with the intention of estimating the total dosage of fluoride to which children are exposed through their diets (water and food) and toothpaste with fluoride, it was identified an average of 0.090 mg F/kg body weight/day²⁶26. Lima YBO, Cury JA. Ingestão de flúor por crianças pela água e dentifrício. Rev Saude Publica 2001; 35(6):576-581.. These were values above normal safe levels for fluorosis to be statistically acceptable (0.05-0.07 mg F/kg body weight/day)²⁷27. Burt BA. The changing patterns of systemic fluoride intake. J Dent Res 1992; 71(Spec. Issue):1228-1237.. However in this study our findings did not allow us to establish how much exposure to fluoride the children were submitted to. In addition to the results on its registered existence, we identified an association of dental fluorosis at various levels with: dental trauma, odontological assistance at schools and the self-perception of the presence of stains on their teeth.

We noted an association with very low/low levels of fluorosis and the existence of dental trauma. Considering the multidimensional character of the risk factors for the existence of dental trauma²⁸28. Goettems ML, Schuch HS, Hallal PC, Torriani DD, Demarco FF. Nutritional status and physical activity level as risk factor for traumatic dental injuries occurrence: a systematic review. Dent Traumatol 2014; 30(4):251-258. such as age, sex, body weight, the closure of the lips, trauma to the deciduous dentition and the practice of sports²⁹29. Goettems ML, Torriani DD, Hallal PC, Correa MB, Demarco FF. Dental trauma: prevalence and risk factors in schoolchildren. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2014; 42(6):581-590., is it possible to say that there is an association with dental trauma and very low/low levels of fluorosis. This could have occurred by chance as severely higher levels were expected. The above was noted due to there being severely high levels of fluorosis with the identification of greater porosity of the enamel and a greater tendency for physical deterioration¹¹11. DenBesten P, Li W. Chronic Fluoride Toxicity: Dental Fluorosis. Monogr Oral Sci 2011; 22:81-96.^,1212. Fejerskov O, Larsen MJ, Richards A, Baelum V. Dental tissue effects of fluoride. Adv Dent Res 1994; 8(1):15-31.. However these factors were not explored in this study.

The presence of dental fluorosis was at its highest levels amongst school children with at least one tooth that had dental trauma, considering the low/very and moderate/severe degrees. This association was at its highest for the moderate/severe levels. This was expected because the highest level of fluorosis increases the porosity of the dental structure and there is an increase in the possibility of deterioration¹¹11. DenBesten P, Li W. Chronic Fluoride Toxicity: Dental Fluorosis. Monogr Oral Sci 2011; 22:81-96.. The histological changes in the fluorite enamel such as very high levels of porosity¹¹11. DenBesten P, Li W. Chronic Fluoride Toxicity: Dental Fluorosis. Monogr Oral Sci 2011; 22:81-96.^,1212. Fejerskov O, Larsen MJ, Richards A, Baelum V. Dental tissue effects of fluoride. Adv Dent Res 1994; 8(1):15-31., can lead to a reduction in the mechanical resistance of the dental structure. This can increase the possibility of the existence and worsening of dental trauma. However due to the design and nature of this study, the results need to be taken with caution and can be better evidenced through laboratory studies. We were unable to find relevant journals with epidemiological studies that focused on an association with fluorosis and dental trauma.

The existence of fluorosis at moderate/severe levels was must evident amongst school children that received odontological assistance at their schools. Oral health and access to odontological services is a priority for health care officials responsible for children. This has been established by the Health Ministry in Brazil³⁰30. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde (MS). Agenda de Compromissos para a Saúde Integral da Criança e Redução da Mortalidade Infantil. Brasília: MS; 2004.. Greater use of odontological services amongst children from the age of 12 in Brazil has been identified⁸8. Brasil. Ministério da Saúde (MS). Secretaria de Atenção à Saúde. Departamento de Atenção Básica. Coordenação Nacional de Saúde Bucal. Projeto SB Brasil 2010: condições de saúde bucal da população brasileira 2010: resultados principais. Brasilia: MS; 2011.^,2424. Oliveira RCN, Souza JGS, Oliveira CC, Oliveira LFB, Pelino JEP, Martins AMEBL, Almeida ER. Acesso a informações sobre como evitar problemas bucais entre escolares da Rede Pública de Ensino. Cien Saude Colet 2015; 20(1):85-94.. Aside from this, the use of odontological services, albeit at schools or at other places, can bring with it the identification of oral problems such as dental fluorosis that was not detected beforehand. Other dental problems such as tooth decay is associated with the levels of odontological assistance amongst children and Brazilian teenagers³¹31. Celeste RK, Nadanovsky P, Leon APD. Associação entre procedimentos preventivos no serviço público de odontologia e a prevalência de cárie dentária. Rev Saude Publica 2007; 41(5):830-838.^,3232. Rodrigues LAM, Martins AMEBL, Silveira MF, Ferreira RC, Souza JGS, Silva JM, Caldeira AP. Uso de serviços odontológicos entre pré-escolares: estudo de base populacional. Cien Saude Colet 2014; 19(10):4247-4256..

We noted an association between the presence of fluorosis (very low/low and moderate/severe) with self-perception of the presence of blotches on teeth. This was the case with school children. The marks on the teeth may be related to fluorosis that have come from other dental problems like tooth decay. A study carried out in India amongst 840 school children showed that in spite of 82.04% of the sample having been diagnosed with dental fluorosis, only 42.3% were aware of the presence of the disease¹⁰10. Naidu GM, Rahamthullah SA, Kopuri RK, Kumar YA, Suman SV, Balaga RN. Prevalence and self perception of Dental Fluorosis among 15 year old school children in Prakasham district of south India. J Int Oral Health 2013; 5(6):67-71.. It’s worth noting that in the field of oral health, self-perception can modify behaviors in relation to health and the importance given to oral problems³³33. Benyamini Y, Leventhal H, Leventahal EA. Self rated oral health as an independent predictor of self rated general health, self esteem and life satisfaction. Soc Sci Med 2004; 59(5):1109-1116.. This can be very helpful in the search for treatments. Aside from this, moderate and severe levels of fluorosis can lead to a high level of awareness and worry with the presence of dental problems for children and their parents³⁴34. Furtado GES, Sousa MLR, Barbosa TS, Wada RS, Martinez-Mier ELA, Almeida MEL. Percepção da fluorose dentária e avaliação da concordância entre pais e filhos: validação de um instrumento. Cad Saude Publica 2012; 28(8):1493-1405..

Amongst the limitations of this transversal study is that it was not possible to establish a relationship between cause and effect. Through the use of data from epidemiological research on oral health of the population and not specific data on fluoride ingestion by school children when their teeth are developing, we were not able to investigate other factors that could be related to dental traumas. In spite of this, our findings indicate an important association between the presence of fluorosis and dental trauma. This finding has not been greatly explored in scientific journals and thus needs to be investigated in future studies. This association exists at different levels of dental fluorosis (very low/low and moderate/severe). An association of the presence of dental fluorosis with variables referring to odontological services was identified as were other subjective questions on oral health. Future studies on the effects of the alterations that occur in the mechanical resistance of the dental structure of the fluorite enamel, needs to be done. This may influence the existence of dental trauma.

References

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History