Further studies of fluorosis in merino sheep

Abstract

Further studies were made on six sheep which had been continuously exposed to fluorided water from 3 months to 27 months of age. They were maintained for a period of 30 months during which they had access to grazing and grassy lucerne hay and were protected from fluorine in the drinking water. The effects of fluorosis on the incisor teeth are permanent. The brittleness of affected teeth and lines of weakness at bands of pitting result in increased rather than decreased damage. Bone defects such as rarefication and shortening of the horizontal ramus of the mandible, which were apparent at the end of the exposure to fluorine, were not permanent.