Szpunar S M, Burt B A
Program in Dental Public Health, School of Public Health II, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-2029.
Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1992 Jun;20(3):148-54. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0528.1992.tb01550.x.
Recent epidemiologic and related evidence suggests the following trends: 1. the prevalence of caries continues to decline in children of the US and several other developed countries; 2. the prevalence of mild dental fluorosis is increasing; 3. the majority of the cariostatic effects of fluoride are topical; and 4. dietary fluoride supplements are a risk factor for dental fluorosis. These trends, and the scientific evidence on fluoride and fluorosis, suggest that it is time to re-evaluate the use of dietary fluoride supplements. This paper examines the evidence for each of the four trends and the use of fluoride supplements in caries prevention today.
