Dental Fluorosis
A developmental disturbance of tooth enamel caused by excessive fluoride intake during the period of enamel formation, resulting in characteristic white spots, striations, or pitting.
Full Definition
Dental fluorosis is a dose-dependent hypomineralisation of enamel resulting from chronic excessive fluoride ingestion during tooth development, typically during the first eight years of life. Clinically, it manifests as a spectrum from faint white lines to extensive brown staining and surface pitting in severe cases. In dental research, fluorosis severity is commonly classified using indices such as Dean's Fluorosis Index or the Thylstrup and Fejerskov (TF) Index. Editors should be alert to the distinction between dental fluorosis and other forms of enamel hypomineralisation (e.g., MIH), as these are frequently confused in manuscripts. The condition is distinct from skeletal fluorosis and should not be conflated with it in multi-system fluoride toxicity papers.
Usage
Usage note: Do not use as a catch-all term for enamel white spots; confirm aetiology (fluoride exposure) is established in the manuscript before accepting the diagnosis.
In Context
- "Dental fluorosis was scored using Dean's Index by two calibrated examiners blinded to the subjects' fluoride exposure history." — Cross-sectional epidemiological study methods
- "The manuscript incorrectly used 'dental fluorosis' to describe MIH lesions; these are distinct conditions with different aetiologies." — Peer review editorial note