The main source of fluoride for the body is ordinary drinking water. How many useful microelements does a person receive daily? Few know the answer to this question. However, fluoride oversaturation is very easy. That is why tooth enamel becomes spotty, and the dentist diagnoses “fluorosis”. What is the danger of this disease? How to cope with emerging defects?
general information
Fluorosis is a common disease that results from the ingestion of fluoride compounds in large quantities. It develops gradually, has several forms. Symptoms of each vary. Some appear only minor defects on the enamel, others suffer from complete destruction of the teeth. That is why it is so important to diagnose the disease in a timely manner and proceed to its treatment.
Doctors distinguish two of its types: professional and endemic. How do they differ? Endemic fluorosis is diagnosed in certain regions, where the quantitative content of fluoride in water and products is very high. The risk of developing this disease increases if a person additionally takes drugs with this trace element. Occupational fluorosis affects people working in aluminum production. Together with air, a large amount of fluorine enters the body.
The main causes of the disease
Fluorine is necessary for the human body along with magnesium, calcium and potassium. Its deficiency leads to the development of caries, and excess leads to fluorosis. Therefore, the intake of this trace element should be optimal.
To the greatest degree, the development of the disease affects young children whose tooth enamel has not yet gained strength. For this category of patients, the daily fluoride requirement is 2-3 mg / l. They get it along with food and water. For the development of fluorosis, a slight excess of this indicator is enough. Adults with prolonged use of such water will not get sick, because for them the daily norm is 4 mg / l. However, exceeding the parameter by only two points can threaten tooth damage.
Forms of fluorosis
The disease has many forms, each of which differs in its manifestations.
- Dashed line. It is characterized by the appearance of chalky strips on the enamel surface. They are clearly distinguishable, but with a mild course of pathology, they are noticeable only with a detailed examination by a specialist.
- Spotted. Tooth fluorosis is manifested by whitish spots of various sizes. They can merge, forming a single lesion.
- Cretaceous-mottled. This form of the disease is characterized by the appearance of pigmented spots and dots. The depth of the latter is 0.1-0.2 mm. The lesions are yellow, and the bottom of the spots is a brown tint.
- Erosive. Tooth fluorosis of this type is distinguished by the appearance of extensive foci of destruction, which are several times larger than specks in size. Otherwise, these lesions are called erosion.
- Destructive. This is the most serious form of the disease in which the tooth is destroyed. Strong erosion is clearly visible on its surface. Pathology is characterized by rapid erasure of enamel. Dental tissues are gradually thinning, becoming fragile. As a result, chips are formed.
How is fluorosis manifested?
The main symptom of the disease is a change in tooth enamel. At first it becomes covered with white or yellow spots, then it becomes overly sensitive. Teeth react violently to hot / cold food, temperature changes, easily destroyed. Enamel spotting may be due to other pathologies. Therefore, to clarify the diagnosis, you must consult a dentist.
Tooth fluorosis is not accompanied by discomfort in the oral cavity. The disease gradually leads to thinning of enamel. Only in this case the following symptoms occur:
- hypersensitivity of teeth;
- the appearance of chips and cracks;
- the occurrence of erosion, passing into caries.
The appearance of erosion threatens the gradual destruction of the tooth and its complete loss. As the pathological process develops, thinning of hard tissues - enamel and dentin is noted. A severe form of the disease is accompanied by joint pain, muscle weakness and malaise.
The development of the disease in children
Fluorosis most often develops in children living in areas with an increased concentration of fluoride in water. Moreover, they have been in this region since birth, when the final mineralization of tooth tissues occurs. Grouping calcium salts, fluoride removes them from the body. Moreover, it negatively affects enameloblasts - the internal elements of enamel. All this leads to its softening. This is how fluorosis develops in children.
Treatment principles
Both children and adults need to start the fight against the disease by reducing the amount of fluoride entering the body. If it is not possible to replace drinking water, special filters should be used for purification. It is also recommended to refuse toothpastes and products (fish, spinach, tea) with a high content of fluoride. These actions will not help to eliminate the already formed spots on the enamel, but will stop the progression of the disease called fluorosis.
Treatment of the disease depends on the severity of the pathological process. With fluorosis at the initial stage, only the shade of enamel changes. In this case, teeth whitening and remineralizing therapy (saturation of tissues with fluorine and calcium) are recommended for patients. Once in the hard tissues of the tooth, these compounds strengthen and restore their structure. The procedure is carried out using phonophoresis or applications. Adult patients are additionally prescribed medications if fluorosis is suspected. Remodent treatment shows excellent results. This remedy is obtained from animal bones. When applying it to enamel, beneficial substances fall on its upper layer and restore the structure.
The disease of moderate and severe severity is always accompanied by irreversible disorders. If enamel integrity is damaged, bleaching is ineffective. In such cases, aesthetic restoration of teeth is used for treatment . As a rule, ceramic veneers or crowns are used.
Prevention Methods
To prevent tooth fluorosis, it is necessary to deal with its prevention from an early age. It is recommended that the child be transferred to artificial feeding as late as possible. In the future, he needs to ensure a balanced diet, if possible, replace the water with milk. It is useful to send your child to health camps or to the grandmother in the village during the summer holidays so that he can change the water source for a while. Adults should choose fluoride-free toothpaste and mouthwashes to prevent fluorosis.