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Dental fluorosis and altitude: a preliminary study
E Angeles Martínez-Mier1, Armando E Soto-Rojas, José Luis Ureña-Cirett
1Oral Health Research Institute, Indiana University School of Dentistry, Indianapolis 46202, USA. esmartin@iupui.edu
Oral Health & Preventive Dentistry
|January 12, 2005
Summary
Dental fluorosis is more common in high-altitude Mexico City children than in low-altitude Veracruz children. Differences in water, salt, or reported exposure do not explain this higher prevalence of dental fluorosis.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Public Health
Background:
- Higher dental fluorosis prevalence has been observed in high-altitude communities.
- Altitude may be an independent risk factor for dental fluorosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine and compare dental fluorosis prevalence in children residing at high and low altitudes in Mexico.
- To investigate potential contributing factors to observed prevalence differences.
Main Methods:
- Dental fluorosis prevalence assessed in 7-10-year-old children from Mexico City (high-altitude) and Veracruz (sea level).
- Retrospective questionnaires gathered data on previous fluoride exposure.
- Fluoride content of local water and salt was analyzed.
Main Results:
- Dental fluorosis prevalence was significantly higher in Mexico City (53.0%) compared to Veracruz (24.3%).
- Statistical analysis confirmed the significance of this difference, even after adjusting for identified risk factors.
Conclusions:
- Altitude-related differences in dental fluorosis prevalence between the two Mexican communities could not be attributed to variations in water or salt fluoride levels.
- Self-reported exposure and estimated fluoride intake did not explain the observed disparity in fluorosis rates.