Common misunderstandings

In spite of the wide spread understanding of the fluorosis problems and the about fluoride in water being the direct responsible agent behind the problem, four major misunderstandings about the fluorosis problems are still very common even in heavily fluorotic regions:

• Many people still do think that endemic fluorosis is only a cosmetic problem. Many fluorotic young people feel that their teeth are strong and still well functioning, e. g. they can open a bottle of soda with their teeth. Obviously the relation between dental fluorosis and the long term oral health is still to be understood.
• Many people still do think that ingestion of fluoride is only dangerous to new born and smallchildren. This probably stems from the fact that some persons who have been borne in non-fluorotic regions and thus have developed nice white teeth, may move into a fluorotic region and continue having relatively nice teeth for long time.
• Many fluorotic persons, with white or mottled teeth, may, upon time, get quite stiff and rigid and may have quite a lot of joint pain, and still think of these symptoms as a part of normal aging.
• Many parents in a fluorotic area observe happily the white teeth of their small child, thinking that the child has avoided getting fluorosis. Once the permanent teeth starts erupting, they may experience that the child already has encountered dental fluorosis.