Fluorosis: definition, causes, symptoms and prevention

Definition

What is fluorosis?

Fluorosis is a condition that affects the appearance of the teeth, but is not a disease. In most cases, fluorosis looks like a thin white line on tooth enamel and does not affect tooth function or health.

In many cases, the effects of fluorosis are very mild and only a professional can be aware of this condition during examination. Enamel fluorosis only occurs when teeth form under the gums. Once the teeth come out through the gums, the teeth can no longer experience fluorosis.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of fluorosis?

Symptoms of fluorosis range from invisible white spots or streaks to dark brown stains and enamel that are rough, hollow, and difficult to clean. The teeth that are not affected by fluorosis have a smooth and shiny texture, and are pale cream-white in color.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

Drugs & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How to treat fluorosis?

To treat this condition, you must:

1. Avoid caffeine

If you have a problem with tooth stains, start cutting back on black tea, coffee, red wine and dark sodas. The high caffeine content in these products can cause discoloration.

Some people think that if you drink this drink with a straw, you will not develop dental fluorosis, but this is not true. The fluid remains in contact with the teeth once it gets in the mouth, causing stains. You can replace these products with green tea, decaffeinated coffee, white wine and light colored sodas.

2. Avoid fluorine

Make sure to stop drinking water with a high fluorine content. You can choose bottled water or install a filter on your faucet. Also, don't use toothpaste with fluorine content. Choose organic foods to reduce processed foods that can be made with water with fluorine.

3. Baking soda

Baking soda is not only used for baking cakes, but can also be used to whiten teeth. You can buy toothpaste with baking soda or make your own.

If you want to make it yourself, mix 1 teaspoon non-fluorine toothpaste with 1 teaspoon baking soda, apply it to a toothbrush and brush your teeth as usual. Another way is to pour 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with 1 tablespoon of baking soda. This mixture will produce a paste, apply on toothpaste to clean your teeth.

There are cases where the teeth become significantly white. Repeat until the desired result occurs.

4.3% hydrogen peroxide

You can use 2 teaspoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide and 2 teaspoons of water, mix in a cup. Gargle for no more than 1 minute. The solution will foam. Discard the solution and rinse with water. Repeat this process every day until conditions improve. Make sure the peroxide is 3% in case of accidental ingestion.

5. Food intake

Certain fruits and vegetables are very good for your teeth. Some fruits that are good for teeth are carrots, celery and apples. These fruits are rich in vitamin C which kills bacteria and produces more saliva to help remove plaque.

Some of the foods to avoid are acidic foods like ketchup, pickles, vinegar and oranges. Soy sauce has also been shown to cause tooth discoloration.

Additional information:

If your child swallows toothpaste or drinks water while brushing teeth, this can be the cause of excess fluorine exposure. Keep an eye on them when they brush their teeth to make sure they get it right.

If you have mild dental fluorosis, you can use the above home remedies to prevent the deterioration of the decay and whiten your teeth. If you have severe dental fluorosis, you can still try the recommendations above, but you may need further assistance from your dentist.

When should I see a dentist?

Call the dentist if you notice your child's teeth have scratches or white spots, or if you notice discolored teeth.

Prevention

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat fluorosis?

Supervision from parents is the key to preventing fluorosis.

If the water comes from a public system, your doctor or dentist - as well as local water officials or the health department - can tell you how much fluorine is in the water. If you consume water from a well or bottled water, the local health department or laboratory can analyze the fluorine content.

Once you know how much fluorine your child is consuming from drinking water and other sources such as fruit juices and soft drinks, you can work with your dentist to decide if your child needs fluorine supplements.

At home, keep all fluorine-containing products such as toothpaste, mouthwash and supplements out of reach of children. When a child swallows large amounts of fluorine for a short time, this may:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Gag
• Stomach ache

While fluorine toxicity does not usually have serious consequences, fluorine sends hundreds of children to emergency departments each year.

It is also important to monitor the use of fluorine toothpaste in children. Apply a pea-sized toothpaste to your child's toothbrush. This size is sufficient for fluorine protection. In addition, teach children to throw away toothpaste after brushing and not to swallow it. For that, avoid toothpaste with a taste that the child might swallow.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.