What is Dental fluorosis ?
Dental fluorosis is a condition that causes changes in the appearance of tooth enamel. It may result when children regularly consume fluoride during the teeth-forming years, age 8 and younger. Most dental fluorosis in the U.S. is very mild to mild, appearing as white spots on the tooth surface that may be barely noticeable and do not affect dental function. Moderate and severe forms of dental fluorosis, which are far less common, cause more extensive enamel changes.
In the rare, severe form, pits may form in the teeth. The severe form hardly ever occurs in communities where the level of fluoride in water is less than 2 milligrams per liter.
Fluorosis Causes
A major cause of fluorosis is the inappropriate use of fluoride-containing dental products such as toothpaste and mouth rinses. Sometimes, children enjoy the taste of fluoridated toothpaste so much that they swallow it instead of spitting it out.
But there are other causes of fluorosis. For example, taking a higher-than-prescribed amount of a fluoride supplement during early childhood can cause it. So can taking a fluoride supplement when fluoridated drinking water or fluoride-fortified fruit juices and soft drinks already provide the right amount.
Fluorosis Symptoms
Symptoms of fluorosis range from tiny white specks or streaks that may be unnoticeable to dark brown stains and rough, pitted enamel that is difficult to clean. Teeth that are unaffected by fluorosis are smooth and glossy. They should also be a pale creamy white.
Contact your dentist if you notice that your child’s teeth have white streaks or spots or if you observe one or more discolored teeth.
- Questionable. The enamel shows slight changes ranging from a few white flecks to occasional white spots.
- Very mild. Small opaque paper-white areas are scattered over less than 25% of the tooth surface.
- Mild. White opaque areas on the surface are more extensive but still affect less than 50% of the surface.
- Moderate. White opaque areas affect more than 50% of the enamel surface.
- Severe. All enamel surfaces are affected. The teeth also have pitting that may be discrete or may run together.
Fluorosis Treatments
In many cases, fluorosis is so mild that no treatment is needed. Or, it may only affect the back teeth where it can’t be seen.
The appearance of teeth affected by moderate-to-severe fluorosis can be significantly improved by a variety of techniques. Most of them are aimed at masking the stains.
Such techniques may include:
- Tooth whitening and other procedures to remove surface stains; note that bleaching teeth may temporarily worsen the appearance of fluorosis.
- Bonding, which coats the tooth with a hard resin that bonds to the enamel
- Crowns
- Veneers, which are custom-made shells that cover the front of the teeth to improve their appearance; these are used in cases of severe fluorosis.
- MI Paste, a calcium phosphate product that is sometimes combined with methods like microabrasion to minimize tooth discoloration
Dr. Sushila Malik
Changing the face of dentistry in Baner, Dr. Sushila Malik presents her dream CRAFT32, a state of art dental clinic in baner Pune.
Dr Sushila Malik is specialist Endodontist (Gold medalist) and founder of CRAFT32 DENTAL CARE, Pune with around two decades of service behind the smiles of her patients.
She also has national and international presentations and publications to her credit. She researched extensively on root canal morphology of premolar tooth and published in renowned international journal. She also wrote and published book on interacanal medicaments. Dr. Sushila Malik succeasfully conducted many house full endodontic and rubberdam courses for dentist to teach them the latest advancements in dentistry.
She is also consultants to some of the hospitals and clinics.
A gifted clinician, she has earned the respect of her patients and colleagues with her broad spectrum of clinical skill and is notably popular for her excellent chairside manner and empathy for her patients. She keep herself abrest with the latest dental technologies. She believes in preventive regimens and meticulous recalls and diet analysis to prevent any extensive procedures for the little ones.
We are committed to creating a calm, pleasant atmosphere for the patients, while maintaining the strictest hygiene standards. Everything we do is aimed at making you feel comfortable, while we take care of your oral Healthcare.
We provide all dental services under one roof, we take health of your teeth seriously and we are committed to providing the most outstanding care in Pune.