White Spots and Lines: What’s that lurking on My Teeth?

Syafiq’s front teeth have just erupted as he turned 7. As his teeth gradually appear in his mouth, his mother noticed white spots and lines on the surfaces of both his teeth. Like all concerned mothers, she brought Syafiq to the dentist and was informed that the white discolouration is due to fluorosis.

Facts about Fluorosis

Fluorosis is a cosmetic issue, not a disease and thus it does not affect the health of your teeth. As the name implies, most cases result from young children ingesting excessive fluoride supplements or swallowing fluoride toothpaste in addition to drinking fluoridated water. Most of the time, it has no effect on tooth function and may make the teeth more resistant to decay as fluoride further strengthens teeth.

Your permanent teeth develop under the gums in the jawbone during early childhood. Consuming excessive fluoride during teeth formation can lead to fluorosis. Permanent teeth have the chance of forming fluorosis until a child is about eight years old as the crowns of nearly all permanent teeth are fully developed by the age of eight. Once the teeth erupt through the gums, you cannot develop fluorosis.

How does fluorosis look like?

Fluorosis usually appears as white or brown discolouration or spots on the enamel, which is the outermost surface of the tooth. It can present from minor colour changes to surface irregularities such as pits on the teeth. Mild to moderate fluorosis causes faint white lines, streaks or spots on the surface. Fluorosis which is more severe may lead to unusual shape, pits, brown or black spots on the teeth. These images below show the appearance of the condition and its severity:

                                                                                               Images source

What are some treatments available?

Firstly, your dentist will enquire about your fluoride intake especially in the past. This helps to determine if the discolouration is a result of over exposure to fluorides. There are other developmental defects or systemic conditions which may look like fluorosis. Besides that, childhood illnesses or trauma such as a knock against a tooth may also discolour teeth.

Most treatments aim at masking the stain caused by the condition. Procedures such as microabrasion and teeth whitening can be done to remove the surface-stained areas or whiten the teeth. Other more severe cases of fluorosis can be managed with restorations such as veneers or crowns.

Conclusion

Do keep in mind that fluorosis affects only the appearance of teeth and is not a disease. It will not cause cavities or other dental problems unless there are other causative factors. If you have concerns about the appearance of your teeth, consult a dentist for proper management.

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Tags

• dental health
• fluoride
• Oral Health