G.W. Schamback runs Perfect Smile Dental in Stuart, Florida. Dr. Schamback is continually educating himself and his staff on the newest techniques and technological advances in order to offer you state-of-the-art, comfortable, and personalized dental care. Here, he explains dental fluorosis.
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children sometimes face a condition called dental fluorosis (also known as enamel fluorosis) if they get too much fluoride during their early years of tooth development. Too much fluoride can result in defects in tooth enamel.
Fluorosis is a condition in which your body has been exposed to too much fluoride. In normal doses (typically found in a safe drinking water system and in American Dental Association-approved toothpaste), fluoride is a healthy compound that promotes strong teeth, and it has the ability to fight cavities and other problems.
Sometimes, fluorosis occurs when fluoride-containing toothpastes or rinses are swallowed instead of expelled. In some parts of the country, high amounts of naturally occurring flouride in the drinking water contribute to the problem.
Fluorosis causes a number of aesthetic problems, including abnormally darkened or stained teeth. While such problems are generally harmless to your health, a bright smile is important to one’s self-esteem and should be a priority.
Fluoride in Water
Despite occasional cases of fluorosis, for decades, fluoride has been held in high regard by the dental community as an important mineral because it is absorbed into and strengthens tooth enamel. In reasonable quantities, it helps prevent the decay of tooth structures.
In nearly every U.S. community, public drinking supplies are supplemented with sodium fluoride because the practice is acknowledged as safe and effective in fighting cavities. And some private wells contain naturally fluoridated water. However, fluoride has been scrutinized by public health officials, as some question its effectiveness in preventing cavities.
If you’re wondering how fluoridated your community’s water supply is, you can get the latest information by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. A feature called “My Water’s Fluoride” allows consumers to check out basic information about their water system, including the number of people it serves and the target fluoridation level. Optimal levels recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service and CDC for drinking water range from 0.7 parts per million (ppm) for warmer climates to 1.2 ppm for cooler climates to account for people’s tendency to drink more water when it’s warm.
In addition, the American Dental Association has long maintained that consistently drinking bottled water could result in individuals missing the benefits of optimally fluoridated water. The association also holds that some home water treatment systems worsen fluoridated water supplies.
Toothpaste Warning Labels
The American Dental Association says that the FDA-required warning labels on toothpaste packaging, which state that one should contact a poison control center if he swallows fluoride toothpaste, “could unnecessarily frighten parents and children,” and that the label “greatly overstates any demonstrated or potential danger posed by fluoride toothpastes.”
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
