What everyone should know about dental fluorosis?
Dental fluorosis is a harmless but cosmetic condition that causes chalk-line stains or discolored spots over the teeth surfaces. It happens due to overexposure to fluoride during the stage of permanent teeth eruption. In essence, kids and toddlers who are below the age of 8 have higher chances of developing fluorosis.
Despite this is a benign condition, the stain-like lines over the teeth can mar your smile. Likewise, those whitish or brownish discolorations are hard to fix once the permanent changes occur. So everyone should aware of the root causes and symptoms to detect fluorosis early.
What are the causes of dental fluorosis?
Fluoride is a natural mineral that is abundant on the earth’s crust. Hence certain regions on earth are highly endemic for fluoride. The contents such as water in those places contain a high amount of fluoride.
For instance, bore water and vegetables cultivated in such endemic areas are rich in fluoride. If you consume such fluids, eatables with high fluoride levels, your teeth will become strong whilst you will develop dental fluorosis.
Besides this, there are other possible causes of developing fluorosis:
- Similar to foods generated in fluoride endemic regions, various fluids and eatables contain excessive fluoride. For instance, BlackRock salt, seafood, tea. Regular consumption of those products also will lead to dental fluorosis.
- Toothpaste, mouthwash, and other oral hygiene products contain the prescribed amount of fluoride to fortify your teeth enamel. Unlike adults, kids are not aware of proper brushing techniques. So they may accidentally swallow the fluoridated paste or mouthwashes instead of spitting. Such inappropriate use of dental cleaning products also provokes dental fluorosis.
How can you detect dental fluorosis?
Early detection of dental fluorosis is mandatory to prevent the stains from becoming apparent. In contrast, the signs of dental fluorosis are hard to detect without the help of a dentist.
Dental doctors classify dental fluorosis with respect to its severity and extent of damage as follows:
- Questionable – It shows slight changes like occasional white spots.
- Very mild
- Mild
- Moderate
- Severe
In simply, if you notice any white spots, chalk-line stains, or brownish spots over your kid’s teeth, visit your dentist. They might be the signs of dental fluorosis.
What are the dental fluorosis treatments dentists provide?
In most cases, dentists prescribe cosmetic dental solutions to hide the stains because the stains are hard to remove once they become apparent. In mild or moderate cases, teeth whitening is helpful to scrape the discolorations. The other solutions include:
- Dental Crowns
- Dental Veneers
- Dental Bonding
- MI Paste
Bottom Line
Fluorosis is a harmless condition and it happens due to overexposure to fluoride during the permanent teeth eruption stage. Hence everyone should invigilate the brushing activities of their kids. Similarly, give pea-sized toothpaste to your kids to avoid such consequences of dental fluorosis.
Skeletal fluorosis will happen following dental fluorosis. It affects the bony structures, ligament which lead to various structural changes. It provokes difficulties such as pain in joints, back, knees, etc.
