Mineral content of water and food in fluorotic villages and prevalence of dental fluorosis.

The fluoride (F), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and phosphorus (P) content in potable water and food samples from endemic and nonendemic villages for fluorosis were analyzed. It was found that the F content in water was significantly higher (p<0.01) in endemic villages (4.20+/-1.6 ppm) than control villages (0.63+/-0.15 ppm), whereas the Ca, Cu, and Mg contents were found to be significantly lower (p<0.05) in endemic villages compared to control villages. However, there was no significant difference in Zn and P contents between the villages. Foods grown in endemic villages contained significantly higher (p<0.01) fluoride content as compared to control villages. There was no significant difference in Ca, Mg, P, and Zn contents in food grown in endemic and control villages. Copper content in cereals (p<0.05), pulses (p<0.01), and vegetables (p<0.01) in endemic villages was found significantly higher as compared to control villages. The overall prevalence of dental fluorosis in six endemic villages was 97.4% in boys and 96% in girls, which was significantly higher (p<0.01) than that of control villages, where it was 10.5% in boys and 8.3% in girls. The prevalence of dental fluorosis was positively correlated (r=0.125, p<0.01) to fluoride and negatively correlated to Ca and Cu content in drinking water in endemic villages.