The Caries-Fluorine Hypothesis and a Suggested Study to Test Its Application

Ast, David B.

doi:10.2307/4584480

Cited by 32 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Questions of toxicity will have to be answered frequently. While the literature on chronic and acute fluoride toxicosis is not too well defined, all reports indicate concentrations far in excess of that suggested in this study (12,16,17). 3.…”

Section: New Personnelcontrasting

confidence: 72%

A Program of Treatment of Public Water Supply to Correct Fluoride Deficiency

Ast¹

1943

Journal AWWA

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Section: New Personnelcontrasting

confidence: 72%

A Program of Treatment of Public Water Supply to Correct Fluoride Deficiency

Ast¹

1943

Journal AWWA

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“…He stated that those domestic waters carrying naturally the “optimal” concentration of fluoride (about 1 ppm) would require no treatment, but those deficient in fluoride might have fluoride added to bring their concentration up to the optimal to inhibit dental caries attack (Dean 1944). Ast (1943) had already suggested to study the relationship between fluoridation and tooth decay by “deliberately placing nontoxic doses of sodium fluoride in the public drinking water of a community, and using a comparable community with fluoride-free water as a control.”…”

Section: Trials Of Water Fluoridationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fluoride Revolution and Dental Caries: Evolution of Policies for Global Use

et al. 2019

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Epidemiological studies over 70 y ago provided the basis for the use of fluoride in caries prevention. They revealed the clear relation between water fluoride concentration, and therefore fluoride exposure, and prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis and dental caries. After successful trials, programs for water fluoridation were introduced, and industry developed effective fluoride-containing toothpastes and other fluoride vehicles. Reductions in caries experience were recorded in many countries, attributable to the widespread use of fluoride. This is a considerable success story; oral health for many was radically improved. While previously, water had been the only significant source of fluoride, now there are many, and this led to an increase in the occurrence of dental fluorosis. Risks identified for dental fluorosis were ingestion of fluoride-containing toothpaste, water fluoridation, fluoride tablets (which were sometimes ingested in areas with water fluoridation), and infant formula feeds. Policies were introduced to reduce excessive fluoride exposure during the period of tooth development, and these were successful in reducing dental fluorosis without compromising caries prevention. There is now a much better understanding of the public perception of dental fluorosis, with mild fluorosis being of no aesthetic concern. The advantages of water fluoridation are that it provides substantial lifelong caries prevention, is economic, and reduces health inequalities: it reaches a substantial number of people worldwide. Fluoride-containing toothpastes are by far the most important way of delivering the beneficial effect of fluoride worldwide. The preventive effects of conjoint exposure (e.g., use of fluoride toothpaste in a fluoridated area) are additive. The World Health Organization has informed member states of the benefits of the appropriate use of fluoride. Many countries have policies to maximize the benefits of fluoride, but many have yet to do so.

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“…The complete removal of fluorine from water, however, may not be desirable and there are recent data which indicate that small amounts of fluorine in water may be beneficial. It has been observed that in the United States the incidence of dental caries in children is considerably less in regions where fluorosis is endemic than in other regions (53,66,67). This observation has been verified by a number of workers in other parts of the globe, as cited by Ast (66).…”

Section: Non-nutritive Toxic Trace Ele-mentioning

confidence: 82%

“…It has been observed that in the United States the incidence of dental caries in children is considerably less in regions where fluorosis is endemic than in other regions (53,66,67). This observation has been verified by a number of workers in other parts of the globe, as cited by Ast (66). The hypothesis has therefore been advanced that it may be possible to protect against dental caries by the use of fluorine.…”

Section: Non-nutritive Toxic Trace Ele-mentioning

confidence: 89%