Dental fluorosis

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Dental fluorosis
Synonyms	Mottled enamel
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Discoloration of teeth, enamel defects
Complications	Tooth decay (in severe cases)
Onset	During tooth development
Duration	Permanent
Types	N/A
Causes	Excessive fluoride intake during enamel formation
Risks	High fluoride levels in drinking water, excessive use of fluoride-containing products
Diagnosis	Clinical examination, dental history
Differential diagnosis	Enamel hypoplasia, tetracycline staining
Prevention	Monitoring fluoride intake, using appropriate fluoride levels in water
Treatment	Cosmetic dentistry procedures, microabrasion, bleaching
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	Varies by region, more common in areas with high natural fluoride levels
Deaths	N/A

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]].

Fluorosis

What causes dental fluorosis?

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

• 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.

Dental fluorosis

Young children at risk

• 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

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

• Skeletal fluorosis
• Fluorosis

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