Assessment of Dental Fluorosis and Fluoride Endemic: A Cross-Sectional Study in Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Fluorosis is a public health concern brought on by prolonged exposure to fluoride with food, industrial pollution, and drinking water. Major health conditions such as skeletal fluorosis, non-skeletal fluorosis, and dental fluorosis are caused by it. Fluorosis is a dental enamel developmental disorder brought on by repeated exposure to high fluoride concentrations during tooth development, which results in enamel with a decreased mineral content and more porosity. It can be avoided by being aware of the sources of fluoride, understanding how to handle this situation, and avoiding excessive exposure. It's necessary to assess the sources that provide a danger for developing dental fluorosis before deciding on the various fluoride intake methods (DF). In this work, a cross-sectional, observational, and descriptive epidemiological study including 2500 people who live in villages in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, that are endemic for fluoride is presented. These villages include Pazhavoor, Avaraikulam, Yakopuram, and Chidambarapuram. In this study, water analysis and food analysis are carried out with the classifications like gender-wise and age groups. The district water authority department provided the content of fluoride present in the water of the selected study area, as well as the individuals were tested to see if they had dental fluorosis. To categorise the affected case to rate the severity “Dean's Index” was utilised in this study. The food analysis is carried out for various foods in the sample area and is categorized into the normal and Dental Fluorosis (DF) categories. From the various analysis of water and food, it can be concluded that Pazhavoor and Yakopuram area shows a higher concentration of fluorine of more than 1 mg/ L. According to the report, it is advised that the state authorities make substantial efforts to provide potable water that has low fluoride levels to the communities in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli district that have been recognized as having a fluoride endemic problem.