The cosmetic dental condition causing the softening or hypo-calcification of the tooth enamel is called Fluorosis. This is usually from the presence of excess fluoride at the time of enamel formation.
It occurs usually when children in their first 8-10 years of their lives are over-exposed to fluoride, particularly when their permanent teeth are being formed. Fluorosis is also known by the term Dental Fluorosis.
Fluoride actually helps fight the bacteria that reside in the mouth. These bacteria can combine with the sugars and acids from the food and cause tooth decay by damaging the tooth enamel. Fluorosis is not known to cause pain either affecting the functioning of the teeth, in most cases.
Fluorosis is usually caused by the following causes:
Patients suffering from fluorosis can exhibit the following symptoms, as seen in their teeth:
Fluorosis usually occurs in a mild way and in some cases, might appear at the back of the teeth that don’t require treatment. Dentists might suggest the following treatment options.
The teeth’s appearance will be improved by masking the stains using stain-removing procedures like Tooth Whitening techniques.
By resorting to bonding that can adhere a bonding resin to the tooth.
In cases of severe fluorosis, veneers are used. They are custom-made shells covering the stained teeth’s front.
Using MI paste or a product of calcium phosphate, along with micro-abrasion techniques, can minimize the discoloration.
The main responsibility of preventing children from contracting fluorosis lies with the parents. Some preventive measures that parents can take are:
Always watch the children while brushing to prevent them from swallowing or using too much of toothpaste or mouth rinse.
Children under the age of 3 must use only a smear of toothpaste while children between the ages of 3 and 6, will have to use pea size amount. The children in these age brackets must be limited to 2 times of tooth brushing.
The fluoride content of the public water system has to be analyzed for excessive fluorides.
Children have to be kept away from the reach of fluoridated kinds of toothpaste and mouth rinses.
Regular dental visits are recommended for checking the teeth’s condition for identifying and treatment of fluoride or stained teeth.