Our prevention lessons and practices are usually focused on gum disease and cavities, but there’s another condition that can affect your child’s teeth: fluorosis. Fluorosis can occur in children ages eight and younger as a result of too much fluoride consumption while their teeth are still forming.
Is fluorosis harmful?
First, we’d like you to know fluorosis isn’t very common, and when we do spot it, it’s usually very mild and unnoticed by people that aren’t dental professionals. If the fluorosis is moderate to severe, you may see streaks or flecks of white, or what looks like rough, pitted spots in your child’s enamel.
Fluorosis is typically unaccompanied by other symptoms, but because we want your child to be confident in their smile, we’d like to help you prevent their enamel from showing anything but strength and shine. To decrease the chances of your child consuming too much fluoride, ensure you’re using no more than the recommended amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Another way to reduce the risk of fluorosis is to breastfeed your child. Using formula usually requires tap water, and most public water supplies contain fluoride, though usually at a low level.
If you’d like to learn more about fluorosis prevention, treatment, or just schedule a checkup for your child, reach out to your Bolivia & Oak Island dentist at Coastal Cosmetic Family Dentistry today!
The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
