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Dental Changes as Related to Fluorine Content of Teeth and Bones of Cattle

Agricultural Department, Columbia-Geneva Division, U. S. Steel Corporation, Provo, Utah

ABSTRACT

Incisor teeth, mandibles, and metacarpals of cattle from 25 herds in fluorosis and nonfluorosis areas were studied. The teeth were classified into six degrees of severity, 0 through 5, for fluorine effects. Bones and teeth were analyzed for fluorine and amount of enamel in the teeth determined.

A close relationship was found between incisor score, fluorine content, and amount of enamel. As incisor scores increased in severity, fluorine levels increased and the percentage of enamel decreased. Average fluorine content of enamel was 37 to 43% of that contained in the dentin, depending upon which pair of incisors was considered. These and other data obtained from unerupted teeth indicate that enamel is formed and acquires its fluorine before the incisors erupt from the gums.

Mandibles were found to contain the highest levels of fluorine, with metacarpals and whole incisors containing 96 and 84% as much, respectively. Some incisors were rated in Class 5 severity, even though fluorine content of bones and teeth from the same animals was decidedly below reported tolerable limits, further indicating that the appearance of severely affected teeth should not be used as the sole criterion upon which to make a diagnosis of definite fluorine toxicosis.