Fluorosis is a condition that affects the teeth and aesthetics, which stems from an overexposure
to fluoride, usually during the first eight years of life, a period in which the permanent teeth are forming.
Once the teeth affected by these condition manifest slightly discoloured areas, so for example white markings may appear only dentists can detect and in severe cases may arise:
- Spots ranging from yellow to dark brown
Irregularities in tooth-surface:
- Tooth sensitivity
The fluorosis is a condition that attracted attention in the twentieth century, when the researchers were surprised by the high prevalence of what was called in the beginning ” Colorado Brown Stain “, as was observed in the native residents of Colorado Springs, the widespread presence of this discolouration or dental stains.
It was then discovered that the origin of the spots was due to high levels of fluoride in the water supply and local people with these spots also had an unusually high resistance to tooth decay, of course this caused a move to introduce fluoride public water supplies, but at a level that would prevent cavities without causing fluorosis .
Although fluorosis is not a disease , its effects can be psychologically stressful and difficult to treat, so the parental control is playing an important or crucial role in preventing over their children, this cosmetic condition can to some extent affect the social life of the people who have it.