Individual susceptibility to disease (i.e., one’s own genetic background) is one of the three main components classically described in the etiology of dental caries. Hence, genes influence susceptibility to erosive tooth wear, dental development, and response to treatments and interventions. This publication is an up-to-date overview of individual susceptibility to dental caries, erosive tooth wear, and disturbances of dental development from different clinically relevant perspectives. One of the most recognized scientists in this field reports on recent research relating to human genetics – from general summaries to recommendations for daily clinical work and population-level interventions. This book covers all aspects of individual susceptibility to dental caries and erosive tooth wear. Several chapters deal with potential biological mechanisms, with additional ones providing a strong foundation in human genetics, and other chapters touch on efficacy of therapies and alternative concepts. This book is particularly recommended to dental medicine students, practitioners, other oral healthcare professionals, and scientists with an interest in translational research on dental caries and erosive tooth wear.

"Dental fluorosis refers to changes in the appearance of tooth enamel that are caused by long-term ingestion of fluoride during the time teeth are forming. Studies conducted in the 1930s showed that the severity of tooth decay was lower and dental fluorosis was higher in areas with more fluoride in the drinking water. In response to these findings, community water fluoridation programs were developed to add fluoride to drinking water to reach an optimal level for preventing tooth decay, while limiting the chance of developing dental fluorosis. By the 1980s, studies in selected U.S. communities reported an increase in dental fluorosis, paralleling the expansion of water fluoridation and the increased availability of other sources of ingested fluoride, such as fluoride toothpaste (if swallowed) and fluoride supplements. This report describes the prevalence of dental fluorosis in the United States and changes in the prevalence and severity of dental fluorosis among adolescents between 1986-1987 and 1999-2004. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2004 and the 1986-1987 National Survey of Oral Health in U.S. School Children." - p. 1.

Abstract: This publication discusses salt flouridation as a means of preventing dental caries. The state of dental health in the Americas is reviewed and the results of two conferences on salt flouridation are examined. Topics include: salt flouridation in various countries; epidemiologic nutritional, and metabolic aspects of salt flouridation; sociopolitical, economic, and educational aspects of salt flouridation; and monitoring, supervision, and safety of salt flouridation.

The aim of this publication is to offer help to public health planners and administrators at community or national levels in establishing a sound basis, supported by scientific evidence, for the planning, implementation and extension of milk fluoridation projects for the prevention of dental caries. Finally, the edition provides basic guidelines for evaluation of milk fluoridation schemes.

Most people associate fluoride with the practice of intentionally adding fluoride to public drinking water supplies for the prevention of tooth decay. However, fluoride can also enter public water systems from natural sources, including runoff from the weathering of fluoride-containing rocks and soils and leaching from soil into groundwater. Fluoride pollution from various industrial emissions can also contaminate water supplies. In a few areas of the United States fluoride concentrations in water are much higher than normal, mostly from natural sources. Fluoride is one of the drinking water contaminants regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) because it can occur at these toxic levels. In 1986, the EPA established a maximum allowable concentration for fluoride in drinking water of 4 milligrams per liter, a guideline designed to prevent the public from being exposed to harmful levels of fluoride. Fluoride in Drinking Water reviews research on various health effects from exposure to fluoride, including studies conducted in the last 10 years.

Pediatric Dentistry: A Clinical Approach, Third Edition provides a uniquely clear, comprehensive, and clinical approach to the dental treatment of children and adolescents. Offers systematic coverage of all clinical, scientific and social topics relating to pediatric dentistry Thoroughly revised and updated new edition, with an increased focus on evidence based care Includes three new chapters on genetics, child abuse and neglected children, and ethics Pedodontic endodontics is now covered by two chapters – one on primary teeth and one on young permanent teeth Features a companion website with interactive self-assessment questions