Fluorosis: Teeth Whitening As A Treatment Option

Dental fluorosis is a condition of the teeth wherein you can see brown stains. For fluorosis, teeth whitening might be the best option to address it. You can try the teeth whitening services from SNK Dental in St. Mary’s for a healthier, whiter smile.

What is dental fluorosis?

Fluorosis stains occur in your teeth when the porosity of the enamel increases relative to hypomineralization. It is the result of too much exposure to fluoride ions during the developmental stage.

Fluorosis stains usually occur during the first eight years of life. These stains can exist in the teeth within this period if the fluoride exposure is excessive than the standard.

Symptoms of fluorosis stains may or may not be visible. Fluorosis stains can occur as white lines, streaks, or spots that fall under mild to moderate fluorosis. For severe cases, the teeth will have brown, grey or black spots. The teeth will then become pitted, and the enamel can have an unusual shape.

People with fluorosis are resistant to dental caries or tooth decays due to bacteria. It is more of a cosmetic concern which merely affects the appearance of the teeth.

As a result, people who have this tend to have lower self-confidence, smile less, and welcome low opportunities.

How to identify fluorosis?

Generally speaking, only a dental professional can determine whether the discolouration is due to fluorosis or another dental issue. One of the possible points to look into is the fluoride intake.

Additionally, the dentist will ask about the patient’s medical histories and current health conditions that may affect their teeth. Dental examination and X-ray may be necessary to check if there are no other decays or cavities.

We should take note that not all discolouration or stains in your teeth can be fluorosis. The dentist’s evaluation will determine the exact condition of the teeth. Other conditions such as Vitamin A and D deficiency or a low protein diet can also cause enamel opacities.

Categories of dental fluorosis

Dentists rate fluorosis according to its severity:

• Questionable: Only shows light changes in the enamel.
• Very mild: Over less than 25% of the tooth surface, small opaque paper-white areas become noticeable.
• Mild: In this stage, less than 50% of the tooth area have opaque white areas.
• Moderate: This time, more than 50% already of the tooth area have opaque white areas.
• Severe: The whole enamel is already affected.

You cannot determine the level of severity of fluorosis without meeting with your dentist. You may see visible stains, but you cannot tell whether it is fluorosis or not precisely.

Fluorosis stains-treatment options

Cosmetic dentistry can already work with any teeth appearance concern. That’s how magical this medical field is, and in this case, fluorosis stains are not an exemption.

1. Enamel microabrasion: It is a conservative dental procedure wherein the dentist will remove enamel discolouration while still preserving the tooth structure. In this procedure, dentists use acidic and abrasive agents to remove the stains.
2. Professional teeth whitening: It is useful to reduce the impact of white spots on your smile. Teeth whitening is a miracle solution to address stubborn stains and yellowing teeth. However, there can be cases that bleaching or teeth whitening can temporarily worsen the appearance of fluorosis.
3. Porcelain veneers: This cosmetic treatment option is useful to cover the front surface of the teeth. In effect, it will improve the appearance of the teeth. It can hide even the sneakiest stain in front of your teeth.
4. Dental bonding: This procedure is effective with enamel hypoplasia. It is useful not only to fill in cavities but also to conceal white spots.
5. Crowns: Dentists usually apply these in worse cases of fluorosis.
6. MI paste: It is a calcium phosphate product. They usually combine this with methods like microabrasion to minimize the tooth’s discolouration.

These treatment options will vary according to your fluorosis level. The dentist will decide about it and choose the best treatment option for you. That is why it is essential to visit your dentist for this.

Preventive measures to avoid dental fluorosis

You can prevent the occurrence of fluorosis stains in your children’s teeth as young as they are. You only have to follow the simple tips below:

1. Never let your children drink water containing fluoride.
2. Make sure to use only the right amount of toothpaste for your kids.
3. It would be best if you can test the fluoride level of well water that you have.
4. Reduce their consumption of acidic and sugary foods and beverages.
5. Teach them proper oral hygiene as early as possible and its importance.
6. Take them to the dentist regularly.
7. You can try natural remedies such as oil pulling, lemon, or turmeric for your teeth whitening.

Like other oral health conditions, preventive measures are still the best thing to do to decrease the risk of developing them. Regular practice of good oral hygiene is a plus.

Moreover, it will not only be beneficial today but for a lifetime. Your kids will enjoy the maximum benefits of maintaining an excellent dental condition. Besides that, what they will do is not only for their oral health but also for overall health.

Take away

Fluorosis is not a disease. It is only a cosmetic issue in your teeth that you can still get rid of. It does not pose a threat to our health. Fluoride is necessary for our teeth but only in moderation.

You can still work out fluorosis stains with the help of cosmetic dentistry. You only have to ask your dentist if teeth whitening will be sufficient or if there is another treatment option for you. If you’re looking for a trusted clinic in Ryde, NSW, visit this page.

For this reason, you don’t have to feel down anymore if you have stains on your teeth. Your dentist is always ready to rescue your teeth.

Cosmetic dentistry can generally improve the appearance of your teeth. They can work out any stubborn stains that affect your daily life activities. However, regardless of having these options, it would still be best to follow preventive dental care.