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Journal of Human Growth and Development

Print version ISSN 0104-1282On-line version ISSN 2175-3598

Abstract

RIGO, Lilian et al. Fingernails as a biomarker for dental fluorosis. J. Hum. Growth Dev. [online]. 2018, vol.28, n.1, pp. 82-88. ISSN 0104-1282.  http://dx.doi.org/10.7322/jhgd.133582.

INTRODUCTION: Biomarkers indicate levels of a particular chemical agent in the environment studied, which may be useful for monitoring health status, and nails may be major indicators of fluoride. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate fluoride concentration in the fingernails of children as a biomarker for fluoride exposure. METHODS: Twenty students were selected, aged 4-5 years old. Their nails were cut at 15 and 45 days (two collections), and the fluoride concentration in the nails was analyzed with the ion-specific electrode (Orion 9409) after rapid diffusion with HDMS. RESULTS: The total fluoride mean of the samples was 3.68 μg F/g (sd 1.44), ranging from 1.39 μg F/g to 7.81 μg F/g. Eleven children (55%) brush their teeth three times a day, but only three children (15%) swallow toothpaste. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of fluoride exposure in the fingernails of the children studied, presenting risk of developing dental fluorosis in permanent teeth.

Keywords : nails; fluoride poisoning; fluoride; biological marker; dental tooth fluorosis.

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