The role of caffeinated beverages in dental fluorosis.

Recent studies have demonstrated that the incidence of dental fluorosis has increased during the past decade. Greater availability and use of fluoride-containing gels, mouth rinses, dentifrices, etc., improper prescribing of fluoride supplements and ingestion of fluoride dentifrice by some children are some of the suggested determinants of dental fluorosis. However, based on the increase in consumption of tea, coffee, and other caffeine-containing beverages by the children, and the augmentative effect of caffeine on fluoride bioavailability, we theorize that the rise in incidence of dental fluorosis in North America is mainly due to the replacement of water intake by caffeine-containing beverages among the young population.