Dental Fluorosis

We all wait for our child’s first tooth to come out. It is considered a milestone and securing those little pearls should be at the very top of your priority list. But what if the safety step you took for preventing cavities leads to your child’s teeth getting stained? This is the dental health dilemma of fluoride.

What is Fluoride and why is it used?

Fluoride assists in securing a child’s teeth from cavities and reversing early stages of decay. One of the main sources of this compound is drinking tap water. Apart from this, adults and children have fluoride options in toothpaste, dental care products, mouthwash, and office treatments. However, the problem begins, when fluoride is used excessively, particularly by children younger than eight. Too much of this compound during early childhood, when the child’s permanent teeth are forming underneath the gums, can lead to dental fluorosis, discoloration of the teeth. But, once the child’s permanent teeth have erupted, fluoride does not cause tooth fluorosis.

Dental fluorosis, while cosmetic, can make people shy away from smiling. Fluorosis can vary from very mild white streaks/spots to severe discoloration with a pitted or mottled brown appearance. According to dentists in Brampton, more than forty percent of the children in the age bracket of 12 to 15 years suffer from very little to mild fluorosis.

A child’s exposure to fluoride can increase if they’re:

1. Swallowing toothpaste instead of spitting it out.
2. Drinking water containing fluoride.
3. Taking way too much fluoride supplement.
4. Using fluoride supplements when they already have fluoride in their water and toothpaste.

Analyzing a child’s fluoride intake can reduce the amount of fluorosis and increase cavity protection. If fluorosis does happen and treatment becomes necessary, most methods will involve simple aesthetic techniques that vary from removing discolored bits of tooth to micro-abrasion, bleaching and full crowns or veneers. Speak to your Brampton dentist about the best dental treatment for your child and the best way to avoid further damage.

With the right knowledge and the right dentist by your side, you can rest assured that your child’s teeth will remain healthy at all times. It is important that you choose the right dental expert for those early years as the dentist’s experience and expertise can make all the difference to the oral health of your little one as he or she grows.