“Beauty is power; a smile is its sword.” – John Ray
Always wear a smile on your face because it can brighten up somebody’s day. All this sounds positive, especially when you have pearly whites that you wouldn’t hesitate from showing off. But, what if you have dental fluorosis, a cosmetic condition that changes the color of tooth enamel? The problem often goes unnoticed till signs of enamel damage and discoloration are visible on teeth. Thus, it is imperative to be aware of the problem, its causes, symptoms, and dental fluorosis treatment. Read on to learn more about fluorosis and dental fluorosis treatment.
What causes dental fluorosis?
Fluorosis is the result of overexposure to fluoride during the first eight years of life when primary teeth are still forming. Drinking water, toothpaste, and fortified foods that have fluoride in excess level can lead to discoloration of tooth enamel. Children whose permanent teeth are yet to come can also have the problem of fluorosis in later years.
Fluoride is a common mineral found in mouthwash and toothpaste. As toddlers tend to ingest more fluoride than adults, they are prone to fluorosis while brushing teeth.
What are the symptoms of dental fluorosis?
Discoloration of enamel, white splotches on the tooth are the only symptoms of fluorosis. Mild dental fluorosis doesn’t cause any damage to teeth, and severe cases are uncommon. Enamel pitting, brown spots on tooth enamel, and permanent damage to tooth enamel are signs of severe fluorosis.
How to diagnose dental fluorosis?
As discoloration of tooth enamel is very mild, parents are often unable to notice the problem. To identify the condition at an early stage, it is important to take children and toddler for regular checkups.
Remember that oral health and overall health are interrelated. Taking care of the former at an early age will lower your chances of getting susceptible to chronic ailments. To learn more about the relationship between oral hygiene and oral health, check this out.
What is dental fluorosis treatment?
Mild cases of fluorosis do not need treatment. Permanent discoloration due to severe fluorosis can be corrected via veneers, teeth whitening or cosmetic dentistry.
What are the preventive measures for dental fluorosis?
Children are not at risk for developing fluorosis after reaching the age of 8. Till then, there are a few things that parents need to take care of:
- Limiting the amount of toothpaste that’s put on the toothbrush of child
- Ensuring that the child doesn’t swallow toothpaste or mouth rinse that contains fluoride
- Using non-fluoridated toothpaste for children below age 12. You can try brands such as Himalaya, Meswak, Tom’s, Jack n Jill, Bentodent, and more.
The Wrap Up
Dental fluorosis mostly affects toddlers and children. Therefore, it is necessary for parents and caregivers to take preventive measures from the start. Regular dental checkups can help in keeping the problem at bay and preserving that beautiful smile.