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Even when your child is practicing healthy dental care habits, they may develop dental fluorosis. While it may initially sound concerning, fluorosis isn’t a serious condition and doesn’t affect the health of your child’s teeth. Explore this guide to learn more about the condition, including how to help your child avoid it.

A Guide to Dental Fluorosis

What are the Symptoms of Dental Fluorosis?

Dental fluorosis affects children as their permanent teeth are forming during the first eight years of life. During this time, a dental care routine that exposes their teeth to too much fluoride can cause the teeth to have a white discoloration as they emerge. Usually, the difference is mild and can be corrected with cosmetic dentistry.

Dental CareAdditional symptoms include noticeable pits and other irregularities in the tooth surface. In severe cases, the teeth may also seem to have brown or yellow stains, but typically, any discoloration is hard to detect and may look like lacy designs

How Can It Be Treated and Prevented? 

Since dental fluorosis is usually imperceptible, treatment may not be necessary. If the condition is more visible, parents may want to have it treated by their dentist. Supplementing regular teeth cleanings with a cosmetic procedure can help hide the discoloration. While teeth whitening can help, parents should be aware that the bleach used in this process can cause the stain to worsen temporarily.

  • Bonding is another alternative. This process involves adding a thick coating to the exterior of the tooth to help it look more natural.
  • Veneers and crowns can be used to cover teeth with more pronounced discoloration.
  • MI paste relies on calcium phosphate to reduce the discoloration of the teeth, so this product can be used in combination with microabrasion treatments.

To prevent your child from developing dental fluorosis, discuss their dental care needs with their dentist. You should also ask your dentist to evaluate a sample of your home’s tap water to determine the amount of fluoride it contains to provide a starting point for determining how much fluoride your child is ingesting. The fluoride content in the juices they drink should also be taken into account. Your dentist can work with you to ensure your child is getting the right amount of fluoride.

 

Since proper dental care includes routine visits with a dentist, you should find a practitioner experienced with caring for children. For more than 15 years, Bradley M. Stewart, DMD, has been providing family dentistry services to the community of Olive Branch, MS. They have the skills and demeanor necessary to give children a positive dentistry experience. To schedule an office visit for your children, visit their website or call (662) 893-5800.

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