Vitamin - Fluoride supplements: effect on dental caries and fluorosis in sub-optimum fluoride areas

Abstract

This study was designed to determine if additional fluoride, ingested as a sodium fluoride - vitamin supplement would provide added protection against dental caries without causing any significant fluorosis. A total of 456 children, one to 14 months of age, residing in cities having 0.6 - 0. 8 ppm F in the water supply were randomly assigned according to age, sex and community to the following groups : Group A, 0. 5 mg F to age 3 then 1. 0 mg thereafter; Group B (control), vitamins throughout the study; and Group C, 0.5 mg F throughout the study. Dental examinations were started at approximately 2 1/2 to 3 years of age and were repeated every six months. A fluorosis examination ended the study after about seven years. When compared according to length of time on product, Group A had a significant reduction in deft and defs of 42.2 and 47.1 percent at 60 months. Group C had a 32.1 and 37.4 percent reduction. When compared by age, Group A had a 37.5 and 44.8 percent reduction in deft and defs at 66 months. Group C had a 34.3 and 40.1 percent reduction for the same period. No significant reductions were observed in permanent teeth. Based on the fluorosis index (Group A - 0.250; Group B - 0.033; and Group C - 0.188) none of the groups had any unacceptable amounts of fluorosis. The results indicate that up to 1.0 mg per day of additional fluoride does not cause objectionable fluorosis and may be ingested safely by children residing in areas containing 0. 6 - 0. 8 ppm F in the water supply. A 0.5 mg F supplement was almost as effective as a 1.0 mg level in providing added protection against dental caries in primary teeth.