Fluorosis

The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Fluorosis

 

a chronic disease caused by prolonged excessive ingestion of fluorine. The consumption of water with a high fluorine concentration (more than 1–1.2 mg/liter) or food with an excessive quantity of fluoride compounds results in the retention of fluorine salts in bones and dental tissues and the replacement of soluble calcium compounds by the insoluble compounds of calcium and fluorine. Fluorosis is manifested by the appearance of stains on dental enamel and by a change in the structure of bony tissue (osteosclerosis), causing bone deformity and calcification of ligaments. When contact with fluorine is terminated, symptoms of fluorosis decrease.

The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.