fluorosis

fluorosis /flu·o·ro·sis/ (fldbobr-ro´sis)

1. a condition due to ingestion of excessive amounts of fluorine.

2. a condition in humans due to exposure to excessive amounts of fluorine or its compounds, resulting from accidental ingestion of certain insecticides and rodenticides, chronic inhalation of industrial dusts or gases, or prolonged ingestion of water containing large amounts of fluorides; characterized by skeletal changes such as osteofluorosis and by mottled enamel when exposure occurs during enamel formation.

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chronic endemic fluorosis  fluorosis.

dental fluorosis  mottled enamel.

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fluo·ro·sis (fl-rss, flô-)

n.

An abnormal condition caused by excessive intake of fluorine, as from fluoridated drinking water, characterized chiefly by mottling of the teeth.

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fluo·rotic (-rtk) adj.

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fluorosis (fl·rōˑ·sis),

n problem caused by excessive or protracted ingestion of fluorine. Causes a mottled appearance of the teeth and in extreme cases, pitting in the deciduous and secondary teeth. May be present in the offspring of females whose fluoride intake was high during pregnancy.

Fluorosis.

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fluorosis (flrō´sis),

n an enamel hypoplasia caused by the ingestion of excess fluoride during the time of enamel formation. General term for chronic fluoride poisoning.

fluorosis, chronic endemic dental (mottled enamel),

n an enamel defect caused by excessive ingestion of fluoride, possibly in the water supply (usually 2 to 8 ppm) during the period of tooth calcification. Affected teeth appear chalky white on eruption and later turn brown.

Fluorosis.

fluorosis, dental,

n an abnormal condition resulting from the ingestion of too much fluoride, causing a white or brown mottled appearance to the enamel of developing teeth.

fluorosis, index of dental,

n a classification system for determining the presence and severity of chronic fluoride poisoning in which the enamel on individual teeth is rated against a 0 to 4 scale with 0 representing normal enamel and 4 severely damaged enamel. This index may be used by communities to adjust the levels of fluoride in their water systems.

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fluorosis

a condition due to ingestion of excessive amounts of fluorine or its compounds. Fluorine poisoning usually takes a chronic form in animals which are exposed to small amounts in their drinking water or food over long periods. Clinical signs include excessive wear and mottling of developing teeth, lameness due to osteoporosis and unthriftiness. Acute fluorosis caused by factory effluent is characterized by gastroenteritis, tetany and death.

Dental fluorosis. By permission from Blowey RW, Weaver AD, Diseases and Disorders of Cattle, Mosby, 1997