Fluoride and Fluorosis

Toothpaste and mouthwash commercials always advertise that their product contains fluoride. Your dentist also may give you fluoride treatments when you come in for a check-up. All of this tells us that fluoride is important for our teeth to stay healthy but how much do we really know about fluoride?

Yes, fluoride is an element that has indeed been proven to be beneficial to the health of your teeth and not getting enough can hurt your teeth. But, did you know that getting too much fluoride can also be harmful to your teeth?

While permanent teeth are forming under the gums during childhood, consuming excess fluoride can disrupt the formation of enamel on these teeth. Fortunately, the extra fluoride does not affect other parts of the teeth but its effects on enamel can cause chalky white spots or even unsightly brown discolorations. This condition is called fluorosis.

Fluorosis is a permanent cosmetic condition, and some cases are mild enough that they can only be detected by your dentist. However, more moderate cases can be visible to you and discolorations may darken with time. These cases can be treated through teeth whitening which removes the surface-stained areas. With the most severe cases, veneers, bonding, or crowns are also options.

The main reason children develop fluorosis is that parents are unaware of the amount of fluoride their child is actually getting. Ingesting too much fluoridated toothpaste, caused by the child not being able to spit out all of the toothpaste is a main source of excess fluoride. Also, fluoride in drinking water, and fluoride hidden in fruit juices and other foods can be sources for excess fluoride intake.

Because fluorosis is a permanent condition, it is extremely important to work to prevent it in your child’s teeth.

First, account for all sources of fluoride in your child’s diet. Often, powdered concentrate baby formula or soy-based bay formula as well as infant chicken products, infant cereals, and creamed spinach may contain elevated levels of fluoride.

Also, use only a small drop of toothpaste on your child’s toothbrush and for very small children, use baby tooth cleanser instead of toothpaste.

Finally, do not give fluoride supplements to children younger than six months of age and check the fluoride level of your tap water.