Welcome to my site! My name is Verity. I work as a receptionist in a dentist office. Every day for the past 20 years, I have come in to the office, worked on paperwork, and greeted patients. I love my job, because it has helped me meet a lot of really wonderful people. I have seen families grow up! But an added benefit from my job is that I have also picked up some small information about dentistry. I'm not one of the dentists, but I do know quite a bit about simple procedures and basic dental hygiene. Hopefully this blog can teach you something, but remember to always consult with your actual dentist for real professional advice!
About Verity Longpar
Fluorosis: Options For A Whiter Smile
Eleanor Crawford
Although fluoride is necessary for a healthy smile, too much of a good thing can cause permanent tooth discoloration. Fluoride is often added to drinking water and toothpaste, where its minerals bond with tooth enamel to create stronger teeth that are better able to resist decay. Unfortunately, it's also possible for a child under the age of eight to consume too much fluoride when their tooth enamel is forming. This can lead to permanent yellow and brown stains in the enamel itself, which will require cosmetic procedures to fix.
Prevention
The best way to avoid fluorosis stains and pitting is to avoid over-consumption of fluoride during early childhood. Never provide a fluoride supplement unless recommended by your dentist. Many city's already fluoridate their drinking water, and fluoride is also supplied in toothpaste, juices and some foods. Also, monitor young children when they brush their teeth. Some children eat the toothpaste because it tastes good, which can result in an overdose of the otherwise healthy fluoride.
Mild Fluorosis Fixes
If the discoloration is mild and the there are no abnormalities on the tooth surface, micro-abrasion may be able to correct the problem. This cosmetic procedure, performed by cosmetic dentistry, abrades away the surface level of the enamel. The unstained inner layer is revealed, which whitens you smile. Abrasion methods are only suitable for otherwise healthy teeth with a thick, minimally porous enamel layer.
Moderate to Severe Fluorosis Fixes
If the staining is more severe, or if the tooth surface is pitted or rough, you have two options for a cosmetic fix.
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Veneers. These are made of porcelain and they cover the entire surface of your tooth. Your dentist will create a mold for each tooth, and then apply the porcelain shell. Veneers can require periodic replacement. Often, they are only placed on the front teeth where staining is most visible.
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Bonding. A composite bond consists of abrading your teeth and then applying a resin over the top in the tooth color desired. If your teeth are in otherwise good condition and can withstand the abrasion process, this can be a better and more permanent option than veneers.
Fixing fluorosis requires a visit to your dentist. They can assess your teeth health to determine which fix will work best to give you a permanently whiter smile. Fixing the discoloration is considered a cosmetic procedure, because in most cases fluorosis does not affect the health of your teeth.
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