Dental Health Dental Conditions Print The Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Fluorosis Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Joel Forman, MD on September 06, 2018 Joel Forman, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and associate professor of pediatrics, environmental medicine, and public health at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Learn about our Medical Review Board Joel Forman, MD Written by facebook twitter linkedin Written by Abby Norman Abby Norman is a freelance science writer and editor. She is also the author of "Ask Me About My Uterus: A Quest to Make Doctors Believe in Women's Pain." She is an advocate for women's health. Learn about our editorial policy Abby Norman Updated on August 17, 2019 More in Dental Health Dental Conditions Procedures & Treatments Orthodontics Cosmetic Dentistry Pediatric Dentistry In This Article Table of Contents Expand Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment View All Back To Top Fluorosis, also called dental fluorosis, is a condition that changes the appearance of tooth enamel in young children as a result of being exposed to too much fluoride. Children are only at risk for fluorosis while their permanent teeth are still forming. Adults and children older than 8 do not get fluorosis. A child can develop fluorosis any time during the years when teeth are beginning to form (birth to 8 years) if they are exposed to high levels of fluoride. Excess fluoride may be consumed through toothpaste, drinking water, and fortified foods. Low levels of fluoride have been shown to help prevent cavities and are often recommended as a preventative measure for dental health in children and adults. Excess fluoride can alter the appearance of tooth enamel in children whose permanent teeth haven't come in yet. Illustration by Brianna Gilmartin, Verywell Symptoms Fluorosis is a painless cosmetic condition. If a child has developed fluorosis, the appearance of the tooth enamel will change, usually becoming stained with white "splotches" or "streaking." The majority of cases are mild and do not permanently damage teeth, and severe cases of fluorosis are not common. However, signs of severe fluorosis include: Brown spots on tooth enamelPitting of the enamelPermanent damage to the tooth enamel Causes Fluorosis is caused by high levels of fluoride. Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that has been shown to help prevent cavities. Fluoride is typically found in toothpaste and mouthwash and is added to public drinking water sources in many places around the world. This practice, called water fluoridation, is considered safe and effective by the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children younger than 8, especially toddlers, tend to ingest more fluoride than older children and adults because they are prone to swallowing toothpaste when they brush. Fluoride in toothpaste and mouth rinse is very concentrated. Over time, swallowing toothpaste or mouth rinse adds to a child's intake of fluoride and can cause fluorosis to develop. School-based fluoride treatment programs are common throughout the United States and contribute to a child's fluoride exposure. Diagnosis The discoloration from fluorosis is usually very mild; parents and caregivers may not notice it until a child's dentist, pediatrician, or another trained healthcare provider (such as a school nurse) mentions it. Regular dental checkups, ideally started by the time a child has their first birthday, can help promote good dental health and can help identify conditions like fluorosis or dental caries (cavities) early. Treatment Most cases of fluorosis are mild and do not need treatment. In more severe cases, whitening of the teeth, veneers, or other cosmetic dentistry techniques can be used to correct any permanent discoloration. Once a child reaches the age of 8 they are no longer at risk for developing fluorosis. Prior to that time, parents and caregivers can help prevent fluorosis by: Using only a small amount of toothpaste on a child's toothbrushSupervising children while they brush to make sure they are spitting out, not swallowing, toothpaste or mouth rinses that have fluorideKeeping toothpaste and mouth rinse out of reach of childrenFinding out more about the water fluoridation practice in their community Asking a child's school about fluoride treatment programs A Word From Verywell Most cases of fluorosis are mild, not painful, and don't cause any permanent damage to a child's teeth. If severe fluorosis occurs, it can usually be treated through a number of cosmetic dentistry techniques such as whitening or veneers. Parents and caregivers can help prevent fluorosis by supervising children, especially toddlers, while they brush their teeth and make sure children start having regular dental check-ups by the time they're a year old. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Fluorosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. FAQ: Fluoride and Children. Healthy Children. How can I prevent dental fluorosis in my children? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Additional Reading Fluorosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. FAQ: Fluoride and Children. Healthy Children. How can I prevent dental fluorosis in my children? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Water-related diseases - Fluorosis. 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