Dental fluorosis
A condition that results from excessive fluoride ingestion during tooth development, resulting in tooth discoloration ranging from white streaks to brown stains and cracks or pits in the tooth ]]enamel]].
What causes dental fluorosis?[edit | edit source]
Excess fluoride consumed during tooth development can also result in a range of visible changes to the enamel surface of the tooth. These changes have been broadly termed dental fluorosis.
Changes in enamel[edit | edit source]
- 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.
- It appears 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.
Young children at risk[edit | edit source]
- Dental fluorosis is caused by taking in too much fluoride over a long period when the teeth are forming under the gums.
- Only children aged 8 years and younger are at risk because this is when permanent teeth are developing; children older than 8 years, adolescents, and adults cannot develop dental fluorosis.
- The severity of the condition depends on the dose (how much), duration (how long), and timing (when consumed) of fluoride intake.
Safe flouride levels[edit | edit source]
Fluoride tablets or drops should not be used at all if your drinking water has the recommended fluoride concentration of 0.7 mg/L or higher.
Also see[edit | edit source]
Dental fluorosis Resources | ||
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