Fluorosis
What is fluorosis?
Your permanent teeth form under your gums in the jawbone during the early stages of childhood. They will appear in your mouth after the primary or the baby teeth are gone. The crowns of almost all of the permanent teeth are fully formed by the time you reach eight years old. Your wisdom teeth are an exception. They form in young adulthood. The crown is the part of your tooth that you can see in your mouth.
If you consume too much fluoride while the teeth are being formed then you can end up with fluorosis. This condition is characterized by white or brown discoloration or spots on the enamel or on the tooth surface. The effects can range from minor colour changes to complete surface irregularities of the teeth. In order for fluorosis to develop, the teeth must have erupted into the mouth.
Fluorosis is a cosmetic condition and is not a disease. It is so mild that only a dental professional can spot it. Most cases of fluorosis result from young children taking fluoride supplements or swallowing fluoride toothpaste when they are already drinking fluoridated water.
What are the symptoms of fluorosis?
Teeth that are affected by mild fluorosis may show no changes or any visible changes. Only a dental professional can detect them. Mild to moderate fluorosis is characterized by white lines, streaks, or spots on the teeth. Severe fluorosis is characterized by pitted teeth with brown, gray, or black spots. The tooth enamel may also take on an unusual shape.
How is fluorosis diagnosed?
First, your dentist and your hygienist will ask about how much fluoride your child ingests. This will determine whether the discoloration is caused by fluorosis and not decay. They will also ask about past and present medical conditions that may affect your child's teeth. The dentist will examine your child's teeth and gums closely and through an X-ray. They will make sure that your child's teeth have no other defects or cavities.
There are some other conditions that look like fluorosis. Developmental flaws and problems with the skull or the bones of the face can upset the enamel or the dentin of the teeth. Moreover, high fever or trauma such as a fall that injures a tooth in infants or young children may also lead to tooth discoloration. Young children can get cavities in their primary teeth so you should report any tooth discoloration to your dentist right away.
How long will the effects of fluorosis last?
The spots and the stains left by fluorosis will stay there on a permanent basis. They will even darken over time.
How can you prevent fluorosis?
If you have children under the age of six then you should only put a pea sized amount of toothpaste on their toothbrush. You should encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste instead of swallowing it. You can keep all the fluoride containing products out of the reach of children. This includes all toothpastes and mouthwashes.
Adding fluoride to drinking water has been one of the greatest preventive disease programs in the twentieth century. Children should only take fluoride supplements if the water they drink does not contain enough fluoride. If your children are taking fluoride supplements now then you must check the amount of fluoride in your water. If you are using public water supply then you can ask your supplier about their levels of fluoride concentration. You may also have your water checked by a dentist. You can discuss the findings with your dentist or paediatrician and find out whether your child needs fluoride supplements or not.
There are some foods and drinks out there that contain fluoride. For instance, several fruit juices and soft drinks contain fluoride levels that are similar to fluoridated water. Some bottled water has fluoride as well. All of this can add up and you must take it into consideration. It is important to find out how much fluoride your child consumes.
How is fluorosis treated?
Keep in mind that fluorosis only affects the appearance of the teeth and does not result in cavities. Treating fluorosis is mostly about masking the stain. There are even cases of fluorosis that are so small, they do not need treatment anymore. There are even cases of fluorosis that occur at the back of the teeth. They are not seen by people. The serious cases of fluorosis are treated through tooth whitening procedures and more often involve the front teeth. If fluorosis is very severe then other procedures like bonding, crowns, or veneers may be used to address the problem.
When should you call a professional?
If you start to notice white streaks or spots on your child's teeth or if you notice that one or more of your child's teeth are discoloured then you must contact your dentist right away.
What is the prognosis on fluorosis?
You must remember that fluorosis is merely a cosmetic problem and not a disease. Fluorosis will not cause cavities or other dental problems. Your concerns about the appearance of your teeth can be addressed with whitening procedures. Surface stains can be removed or veneers may be used to cover the discoloration.