Fluorosis Diagnosis

ESSENTIAL TESTS :


While suspecting Fluorosis, it is mandatory to get the disease correctly  diagnosed.

  1. A requisition form/slip should be send to the hospital/laboratory for testing fluoride content in (1) serum, (2) urine and (3) drinking water/water used for consumption. The fluoride content in the 3 samples should be assessed as essential tests for correct diagnosis of Fluorosis.

  2. Spot sample of urine drawn any time during the day should be fine. Fasting and / or 24 hour urine sample not required

  3. Patient should be informed to collect the sample in a plastic bottle/vial and not glass bottle. [ why glass bottle should not be used is for the reason: fluoride binds  with silica in the glass  and would lead to erroneous results. One molecule of silica can bind with 6 ions of fluoride (SiF6)]. When testing for fluoride, the free fluoride ions are tested. If fluoride is bound with silica, the sample would provide erroneous results.

  4. Besides fluoride levels, for final diagnosis, a fore-arm X-ray Radiograph is also necessary to assess whether interosseous membrane is calcified or not.  Fore-arm X-ray radiograph is the best though there is no pain. It would reveal very early or late stages of calcification of interosseous membrane calcification along the margin of the two bones lying parallel in the forearm.

Normal reference range for Fluoride:
Urine = 0.1-1.0 mg/l
Serum = 0.02 - 0.05 mg/l    
Drinking Water = 1.0 mg/l upper limit; less the better as fluoride is injurious to health


FOR DENTAL FLUOROSIS :


Diagnosis of Dental Fluorosis from Dental Caries.

Dental Fluorosis
Dental Caries
Dirty Teeth
DentalCaries

Note: Fluoride has very little role to play in rectifying cavities; except it can kill the bacteria so that no acids are formed. The same fluoride does more damage to tissue enzymes and therefore diseases surface. Using fluoride for preventing Dental Caries is an out-dated and unethical concept.

Diagnosis of Dental Fluorosis from dirty teeth.

DentalFluorosis


FOR SKELETAL & NON-SKELETAL FLUOROSIS :


Fluorosis Diagnostic Tests: In Adults
Fluoride to be tested in

In Children
Tests :

Additional tests :

In Industrial workers

Fluoride to be tested in: