fluorosis

American  

[floo-roh-sis, flaw-, floh-] / flʊˈroʊ sɪs, flɔ-, floʊ- /

noun

Pathology.

1. an abnormal condition caused by excessive intake of fluorides, characterized in children by discoloration and pitting of the teeth and in adults by pathological bone changes.

2. Also called mottled enamel.  Dentistry. the changes in tooth enamel symptomatic of fluorosis.

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fluorosis British  

/ flʊəˈrəʊsɪs /

noun

1. fluoride poisoning, due to ingestion of too much fluoride in drinking water over a long period or to ingestion of pesticides containing fluoride salts. Chronic fluorosis results in mottling of the teeth of children

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Etymology

Origin of fluorosis

First recorded in 1925–30; fluor- + -osis

Example Sentences

Dental fluorosis — a condition that occurs when teeth get too much fluoride and appear to be stained — was also used to assess exposure.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2025

There's widespread scientific agreement that ingesting too much fluoride can cause teeth to have a mottled appearance or become pitted, a condition called dental fluorosis.

From Salon • May 7, 2024

In 2015, to reduce the risk of mild fluorosis, the Department of Health and Human Services cut its fluoride recommendations almost in half, from 1.2 milligrams per liter to 0.7 milligrams per liter.

From Washington Post • Aug. 19, 2019

The most serious side effect of excess fluoride is the bone disease, skeletal fluorosis.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

The only proven risk, a condition called fluorosis, which results in white and sometimes brownish markings on the teeth from too much fluoride, rarely results from a normal intake of fluoridated water.

From New York Times • Jan. 23, 2012