Dental Fluorosis-Ruined Teeth-Ruined Lives
Dental Fluorosis-Ruined Teeth-Ruined Lives and that about sums it up as of 2005, the US Centers for Disease Control estimated that 32% of American children have some form of dental fluorosis, and 2 to 4% of those children have the moderate to severe fluorosis.
When a toxicologist sees child with the telltale chalky white spots or mottled brown staining on the teeth, the first thing that pops into his mind is fluoride poisoning.
On visual inspection, a toxicologist can determine the degree of poisoning by the degree of discoloration and staining of the teeth that can range from mild white speckles to brow staining and pitting.
Dental Fluorosis-Ruined Teeth-Ruined Lives, because the teeth are the window to the bones, dental fluorosis also tells the toxicologist that the child is suffering with some degree of skeletal fluorosis (fracture prone, brittle bones).
When a dentist looks at the same child’s teeth, he the first thing that comes to mind is that it’s just a minor “cosmetic effect” from too much fluoride and can be easily remedied with cosmetic dentistry procedures.
Dental Fluorosis-Ruined Teeth-Ruined Lives and when a psychologist takes a look at the same child’s teeth, he sees bleak and troubled future without the intervention of cosmetic dentistry.
Studies sponsored by Government and industry have repeatedly established that dental fluorosis/dental abnormalities have negative psychosocial impacts on the person and the community as a whole.
Teeth make the first and lasting impression. Many studies show that the perceptions of the dental abnormalities in children affect the way their peers, the general public, and teachers perceive them. It’s all negative perceptions.
Unintentionally, teachers automatically slot the child in the underachiever category. Schoolmates will tease them about their ‘dirty teeth,’ which eventually leads to social exclusion and diminished self esteem.
The Social Stigmas Attached To Dental Fluorosis Are:
Poor health
Low intelligence
Poor psychological adjustment
Poor personal hygiene
Lack of social skills.
Dental Fluorosis-Ruined Teeth-Ruined Lives and these early negative social perceptions lead to an institutional and social pattern of stereotyping, discrimination, and exclusion as the child grows into adulthood.
Children With Unaddressed Dental Fluorosis Are More Likely To Develop These Behavioral Problems:
• Disruptive in school
• Underachieve academically
• Regularly truant from school
• Have histories of antisocial behavior (police records), and
• Become early drug and/or alcohol abusers
Many Of These Children Carry These Negative Behavioral Traits Into Adulthood:
•Live on welfare benefits
• Fail to obtain or retain employment
• Become homeless
• Fail to make or maintain relationships
• Be more prone to violence
• Spend time in prison
• Become repeat offenders
• Suffer from some form of mental illness
• Suffer from drug addiction/alcoholism
• Have suffered from child abuse
• Are child abusers
The only recourse a person suffering with dental fluorosis has to better their life is the promise of a “Million Dollar Smile” offered in cosmetic dentistry advertisements.
However, among the poor and working poor, the dream of a “Million Dollar Smile” might as well be a hundred-million miles away, because cosmetic procedures don’t come cheap, and most dentists don’t do pro-bono work.
Dental Fluorosis-Ruined Teeth-Ruined Lives and in the end, the US Health and Human Services Dept. will say that dental fluorosis is only a cosmetic effect. The 32% people with dental fluorosis have sound teeth because of water fluoridation.
A public health policy for which they should be grateful, even though the appearance of their teeth and their lives are ruined.
By BBAC Guest Writer: George Glasser
Bio: Originally, a native of Florida, George Glasser is a widely published UK based investigative environmental journalist. He specialises in water quality issues, and is internationally noted for his work on fluorides in the water and in the environment from industrial pollution.
His investigative articles have been cited in scientific studies and by the US National toxicology Program’s toxicological review of fluorosilicates in 2001.
Presently, he has expanded the scope of his investigative work to cover other health related issues.
http://www.g-tigerclaw.com/
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“these early negative social perceptions lead to an institutional and social pattern of stereotyping, discrimination, and exclusion as the child grows into adulthood”
- It’s unfortunate to see that. The world can be brutal sometimes.
[...] Dental Fluorosis-Ruined Teeth-Ruined Lives | Baby Boomer Advisor …His investigative articles have been cited in scientific studies and by the US National toxicology Program’s toxicological review of fluorosilicates in 2001. Presently, he has expanded the scope of his investigative work to cover other … [...]
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