REVIEW PAPER
Fluoride in Polish Drinking Water
and the Possible Risk of Dental Fluorosis
Maria Borysewicz-Lewicka, Justyna Opydo-Szymaczek
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Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences,
Bukowska 70, 60-812 Poznan, Poland
Submission date: 2015-10-02
Final revision date: 2015-10-23
Acceptance date: 2015-10-25
Publication date: 2016-01-25
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2016;25(1):9-15
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ABSTRACT
The role of fluoride in dental caries prevention is well-documented. However, excessive fluoride
exposure may have detrimental effects on human health. The first overt sign of chronic fluoride overdose is
enamel fluorosis. The increasing prevalence of this condition has been observed recently due to widespread
use of water fluoridation, dental cavity prevention products, and environmental pollution. Our review
provides basic information regarding the sources of fluoride exposure in Poland, with special attention
to drinking water as well as current Polish and European Union legislation on drinking water quality. The
notion of infant formula reconstituted in fluoridated water as a risk factor for enamel fluorosis development
is discussed. The implications of setting the upper limit of fluoride content in the drinking water at
1.5 mg/l were mentioned. The need for increasing knowledge about adverse effects of fluoride as well as the
availability of data on fluoride content in the environment is emphasized.