Dental Fluorosis

Definition

Definition of Dental Fluorosis
Dental fluorosis is a developmental disturbance of dental enamel caused by excessive exposure to high concentrations of fluoride during tooth development. The risk of fluoride overexposure occurs between the ages of 3 months and 8 years. In its mild forms (which are its most common), fluorosis often appears as unnoticeable, tiny white streaks or specks in the enamel of the tooth. In its most severe form, tooth appearance is marred by discoloration or brown markings. The enamel may be pitted, rough and hard to clean. The spots and stains left by fluorosis are permanent and may darken over time.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Dental Fluorosis
Patients with mild cases of Dental Fluorosis have faint white spots in the teeth. In severe cases, mottling and pitting occurs causing deformed teeth with brown stains.

Causes

Causes of Dental Fluorosis
It is caused by the excessive intake of flouride by a person either through natural circumstances like high flouride content of the drinking water or from other sources like high fluoride toothpastes.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Dental Fluorosis
The diagnosis for this condition may include Turner's hypoplasia (although this is usually more localized), some mild forms of amelogenesis imperfecta, and other environmental enamel defects of diffuse and demarcated opacities.

Treatment

Treatment of Dental Fluorosis
Dental fluorosis can be cosmetically treated by a dentist. The cost and success can vary significantly depending on the treatment. Tooth bleaching, microabrasion, and conservative composite restorations or porcelain veneers are commonly used treatments. Generally speaking, bleaching and microabrasion are used for superficial staining, whereas the conservative restorations are used for more unaesthetic situations.

Prognosis

Prognosis of Dental Fluorosis
Consult with your doctor.

Prevention

Prevention of Dental Fluorosis
Parents should take the necessary measures for preventing dental fluorosis on their children teeth :

1. Powdered or liquid concentrate infant formula should be mixed with water that is fluoride-free or contains low levels of fluoride,
2. Do not use fluoride toothpaste until the child is two years old unless advised to do so by a dentist,
3. For children age two and older, place only a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste on the toothbrush at each brushing,
4. Avoid toothpastes with flavors that may encourage swallowing,
5. An adult should supervise the use of fluoride-containing dental products by children younger than six years old, and check that they do not swallow it.