fluorosis

1. A condition caused by an excessive intake of fluorides (2 or more p.p.m. in drinking water), characterized mainly by mottling, staining, or hypoplasia of the enamel of the teeth, although the skeletal bones are also affected. 2. Chronic poisoning of livestock with fluorides that blacken and soften developing teeth and reduce bones to a chalky brittleness; most often caused by ingestion of forage contaminants near large aluminum plants.

- chronic endemic f. f. caused by excessive fluorine in the natural water supply, as seen in parts of India; osteosclerosis with ankylosis of the spine may develop.

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flu·o·ro·sis .flu̇(-ə)r-'ō-səs n an abnormal condition (as mottled enamel of human teeth) caused by fluorine or its compounds

flu·o·rot·ic -'ät-ik adj

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n.

the effects of high fluoride intake. Dental fluorosis is characterized by mottled enamel, which is opaque and may be stained. Its incidence increases when the level of fluoride in the water supply is above 2 parts per million. The mottled enamel is resistant to dental caries. When the level is over 8 parts per million systemic fluorosis may occur, with calcification of ligaments.

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flu·o·ro·sis (fl-roґsis) 1. a condition caused by ingestion of excessive amounts of fluorine or its compounds, such as by from accidental ingestion of an insecticide or rodenticide, chronic inhalation of industrial dusts or gases, or prolonged ingestion of water that contains large amounts of fluorides. Symptoms include skeletal changes such as osteofluorosis, and mottled enamel if the exposure occurs during enamel formation. 2. a condition in livestock that is similar to human fluorosis and may be due to the same factors, to ingestion of feed containing toxic levels of fluorides, or grazing on pastures contaminated from industrial dusts or gases. Called also chronic endemic f. and chronic fluoride or fluorine poisoning.

Fluorosis resulting from excessive levels of fluoride in drinking water.