Dental Fluorosis

Dental Fluorosis is a condition in which the teeth become discolored or stained from excessive exposure to fluoride. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps to strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay, and as such is commonly found in public water supplies and many other products. While Fluoride is beneficial for the teeth in low doses, high doses can cause Dental Fluorosis. This condition occurs when the teeth absorb too much fluoride during the enamel forming stages of development. The outer layer of tooth enamel becomes damaged and discolored, appearing as white streaks and spots, or a yellow or brownish hue. This discoloration may be barely noticeable to more noticeable, depending on the severity of fluorosis. Dental Fluorosis can be caused by swallowing too much fluoride, which is most often seen in children under 8 years old who are still learning to spit toothpaste. It can also be caused by drinking large amounts of fluoride-containing water, or simply ingesting too much fluoride from a variety of different sources, such as mouth rinses, dietary supplements, and infant formula. In addition, people who live in areas where the water naturally contains high fluoride concentrations, such as certain parts of India, China, and the US, are at an elevated risk of fluorosis. The only way to prevent Dental Fluorosis is to ensure that the amount of fluoride intake is kept within safe levels. This can involve changing the level of fluoride in drinking water by using products like home water filters, using fluoride-free toothpaste for young children, and using fluoride-free mouth rinse products. It is also important to monitor the levels of fluoride in supplements and baby formula as these can also contribute to development of Dental Fluorosis. Finally, it is important to keep in mind that Dentalfluorosis does not threaten oral health, and does not require treatment unless the staining is severe or a patient is concerned about its appearance. In those cases, treatments may include dental bonding, veneers, or laser whitening.