Determining Optimum Fluoride Concentrations

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Abstract
Extensive epidemiological studies in the U. S. show that prevalence of dental caries is reduced when children drink water containing 1 ppm fluoride. Other investigations have shown that in high temperature areas, optimum dental benefits are obtained when fluoride concentration is less than 1 ppm, since children in those areas consume greater amounts of water. A formula which takes into account variation in environmental temperature is suggested for determining optimum fluoride concentrations of water supplies. It is: parts per million of fluoride [image]. The figure 0.34 represents optimum average daily water consumption of children in ounces per pound of body weight, i.e., the average amount of water containing 1 ppm fluoride that affords children optimum protection against dental caries. "E" is the estimated average daily water intake for children through 10 years of age in ounces per pound of body weight. It may be calculated from the equation "E" = - 0.038 + 0.0062 temperature," where temperature is the mean maximum temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. This equation was derived from an earlier fluid intake study. Based on the formula, optimum fluoride levels for ranges of mean maximum temperatures from 50[degree] through 90.5[degree] were calculated.

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