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What is Fluorosis of the Teeth?

Tooth Fluorosis is the condition when a toxic over-exposure to Fluroride causes a visible mottled effect over the teeth, as in the picture on the right.

Teeth can be seriously discoloured due to excess fluoride in the drinking water. However, the mottled discolouration is only half of the problem. The teeth turn weak because of the excess fluoride, and fluorisis can also affect other bone stuctures, and can be particularly harfful in young growing bones. The critical years for Fluorisis damage are from birth until about eight years of age.

Fluoride is tolerated at permissible levels prescribed by the WHO as 1 PPM (Parts Per Million), but fluorosis can occur at levels higher than that. Fluorosis can occur from eating too much toothpaste as a child, fluoride in the drinking water, and pollution from coal. Certain teas have lots of fluoride. The Tea trees absorb the fluoride from the ground, and have lots of fluoride in the leaves, which gets released as the tea is drunk.

Parents who are worried their children may be ingesting too much toothpaste can switch to several fluoride free toothpastes on the market. See toothpaste review here.

There are no known cures for Fluorisis. Your dentist may use bleaching treatments, burring treatments, or even complete restorations and veneers to cover up the problem.