01/11/2021
Dental FLUOROSIS
This is a patchy white and chalky coloration of the tooth surface resulting from excessive intake of fluoride.
Though this excessive intake of fluoride could be gotten from other means but the commonest source of excess fluoride is from the natural source of drinking water. Some states in the North East of Nigeria (Plateau, Maiduguri, Gombe etc) have a high level of fluoride in the soil which in turn leach into the water, hence dental fluorosis is common in these areas.
Dental fluorosis presences in mild, moderate and severe forms.
In the severe form, the tooth colour changes to brown because the enamel which is the outer layer of the tooth is thin, rough, uneven and even brittle this makes the tooth/ teeth to be susceptible to stains from food and drinks.
Symptoms
1. Unsightly appearance of the teeth.
2. Internal discolouration meaning routine professional cleaning can not remove the stains.
3. Subsucetibility to tooth decay in severe cases but mild actually reduces tooth decay incidence.
4. Tooth sensitivity
Treatment
1. Tooth whitening
2. Dental veneer
3. Dental crown
4. Treatment of symptoms.
Advice
If you live in an area with a high amount of fluoride in water it is advisable not to drink natural water from rivers, wells, boreholes when you are pregnant and not to give such to your children till they are 12 years when all the tooth forming process is completed
