Prevalence of dental fluorosis and associated risk factors in 11-15 year old school children of Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu, India: a cross sectional survey.

OBJECTIVES: This study presents data on the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis in 11-15-years-old school children of Kanyakumari district, TamilNadu, India, and also the relationships between prevalence of dental fluorosis and selected risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1800 children, from all the nine blocks of Kanyakumari district, studying in classes 6-10 were examined using type III examination. The assessment form designed specifically for this study was used while examining each student. RESULTS: Dental fluorosis was present in 15.8% (285 children) of the study population and the community fluorosis index was calculated to be 0.27. The prevalence of dental fluorosis varied from as low as 1.4% in some blocks to as high as 29.4% in some others. There was a significant difference in the level of dental fluorosis between rural and urban residents ( P < 0.001). The prevalence of dental fluorosis was higher in children who consumed pipe water as compared to children who consumed ground water. 65% of the children with dental fluorosis had no caries, indicating the positive effects of fluoride. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dental fluorosis can be attributed to the level of fluoride in the drinking water as it exhibited a step-wise increase when the water fluoride levels increased from 1.5-1.7 ppm. Measures for defluoridation of drinking water before distribution has to be taken in the high prevalence blocks to lower the burden of dental fluorosis in this community.

The chemical stain removal properties of 'whitening' toothpaste products: studies in vitro.

BACKGROUND: A considerable number of toothpastes are available as tooth whitening products. Most appear to contain ingredients that might remove extrinsic stains rather than change natural tooth colour. Extrinsic stain removal could be achieved by physical or chemical means. AIM: The purpose of this study was to measure the chemical stain removal properties of a range of whitening toothpaste products and experimental formulations using a standardised method in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHOD: 5 separate studies were conducted involving a total of 39 agents of which 28 were whitening products, 7 were experimental formulations, 2 were oxidising mouthrinses used as positive controls, 1 was a popular fluoride toothpaste product as a benchmark control, and 1 was water as the negative control. The formulations and controls varied in each study. The stain model was saliva/chlorhexidine/tea stain developed on optically clear acrylic to an optical density of at least 2.0. Groups of stained specimens were exposed to standard slurries or solutions of each test agent for 1 minute periods up to 5 minutes. Optical density readings were taken at each 1 minute time point. Analyses were based on per cent stain remaining after 5 minutes and time to 75% stain remaining. RESULTS: 3 toothpaste products achieved 100% stain removal by 5 minutes; 2 of these in 3 out of 4 studies in which they were used. 4 experimental formulations also achieved 100% stain removal. In general agents with high total stain removal also had short times to 75% stain remaining. The majority of agents tested had low total chemical stain removal and prolonged times to 75% stain remaining. A few agents were little different from water and several similar in effect to the conventional fluoride toothpaste. This method in vitro tests agents under the best case scenario conditions for chemical stain removal. CONCLUSION: Only a small number of the whitening toothpaste products have good chemical stain removal potential; the majority are unlikely to achieve their claimed benefits through chemical stain removal. There is clearly a need for further data on the actual effects of such products using both methods in vitro and particularly in vivo or in situ.

Unconventional dentistry: Part IV. Unconventional dental practices and products.

This is the fourth in a series of 5 articles providing a contemporary overview and introduction to unconventional dentistry (UD) and its correlation to unconventional medicine (UM). Several common UD and UM practices are described to familiarize practitioners with a variety of theories, practices, products and treatments that specifically apply to dentistry. This brief review is not intended as an in-depth resource.