Treatment and Prevention of Skeletal Fluorosis.

Fluoride is soluble in water and accumulates in bone when absorbed by organism. Fluoride influences bone turnover by regulating certain factors, such as runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), which act as markers of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Excessive fluoride intake can destroy the processes of bone formation and resorption, which may lead to bone turnover disorders and result in skeletal fluorosis, a condition in which patients display various bone lesions, including osteosclerosis, osteoporosis, and degenerative joint changes. The damage caused by skeletal fluorosis is substantial. During the early stages, patients show fatigue, loss of appetite, and poor memory. Over time, as the illness progresses, fluoride accumulates in bone and may lead to dental fluorosis and damage other organs, such as angiocarpy, endocrine organs, and the nervous system. In recent years, the incidence of skeletal fluorosis has increased worldwide; indeed, skeletal fluorosis has been shown to be widely distributed throughout China and other countries, and researchers have focused on developing appropriate treatments for skeletal fluorosis.