Fluoride is a natural substance that is very beneficial to our oral health, as it strengthens tooth enamel and prevents cavities. Due to its properties, fluoride is added to toothpastes and mouthwashes to increase fluoride levels in our teeth and strengthen them.
When does fluorosis occur?
Dental fluorosis is a process that occurs when the levels or exposure of our teeth to fluoride are too high, affecting the enamel. This anomaly usually occurs during childhood, at the stage of tooth development, and its main symptom is the appearance of small white spots on the tooth surface.
The following are the symptoms that warn us of possible dental fluorosis and how to treat it to avoid progressive deterioration of the teeth.
Types of dental fluorosis according to severity
Depending on the degree to which the tooth enamel is affected, three types of fluorosis can be distinguished:
● Mild dental fluorosis: this is the most common and the first signs of enamel weakness result with the appearance of shiny lines or striations on the tooth surface.
● Moderate dental fluorosis: this stage is characterized by the appearance of white spots on the enamel.
● Severe or acute fluorosis: in this stage the patient presents caries and stains appear that occupy a large part of the tooth. In addition, the patient will feel symptoms of pain and tooth sensitivity quite often.
If not treated in time, fluorosis will end up affecting dental function, since by weakening the enamel, teeth can easily develop cavities. In addition, stains affect dental esthetics.
Necessary treatment for dental fluorosis
Treatments to correct dental fluorosis will depend on the degree of severity of the condition and the condition of the teeth. In cases of mild fluorosis, the patient will present a yellowing or slight discoloration of the enamel, so we will opt for a dental whitening to restore the aesthetics of the smile.
On the other hand, in cases of moderate or severe fluorosis, in which the dental enamel has deteriorated, the solution will be to restore the teeth with composite or ceramic. We will choose ceramic for those teeth that have suffered greater erosion, while we will choose composite to restore small erosions.
On the esthetic fronts we will use dental veneers, thin veneers that allow us to customize the size, color and texture of the teeth. In the posterior sectors we recommend inlays, ceramic fragments that cover the missing part of the tooth. In cases where there is little tooth structure, we will recommend ceramic crowns, structures that cover the entire remaining natural tooth.
Can dental fluorosis be prevented?
It is possible to prevent dental fluorosis if we take the necessary precautions during childhood. Good nutrition and good dental hygiene habits are the pillars for a correct development of the teeth and to prevent possible pathologies such as fluorosis. In addition, it is important to have regular check-ups with the pediatric dentist to access personalized prevention plans.
The two factors that can help us prevent fluorosis in our children are:
- That they use the mouthwashes and toothpastes recommended by the pediatric dentist, since this way we ensure that the fluoride concentrations are correct for their age and particular case.
- Avoid excess consumption of foods high in fluorinated fatty fish, vegetables such as spinach or supplements containing the compound.
It is important to point out that the mild stages of dental fluorosis are not easily noticed by the patient, so it is essential that during the development stage of the teeth, patients are very aware of the regular visits to the pediatric dentistThe dental surgeon will treat these pathologies at least twice a year in order to treat them in their initial stage and thus prevent tooth deterioration. A periodic follow-up in the hands of our dentists in Barcelona is what we most recommend in order to treat this problem in the best possible way.
