WHILE most research proves that there is a reduction in dental decay when fluoridation takes place, there is, however, problems with fluoride tablets which some dentists advise young children to take.

My own children took the advice of our dentist, who prescribed a daily 2.2mg Endekay tablet. When my boy was aged seven and starting to get his permanent teeth, we found that they were brown and mottled with an unequal layering of enamel.

He undoubtedly had fluorosis, for which there is no treatment, but our dentist dismissed it. Now, my daughter, aged eight, is anxious because she, too, had the fluoride tablets and fears, as we do, that her teeth will be like her brother's.

Although it was reassuring that a second opinion confirmed that the damage was due to fluorosis, there is very little one can do.

JOHN NUTTALL, Burnley Road, Weir, Bacup.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.