What are the benefits of using
toothpaste containing fluoride?
Optimal
levels of fluoride not only reduce
cavities in children and adults, it also helps
repair the early stages of tooth decay even before the decay is visible (white spot lesion).
There is a proven benefit from regular brushing of
teeth with toothpaste containing fluoride.
Is toothpaste containing fluoride safe
for daily use?
Research has shown that fluoride in toothpaste is
completely safe for daily used within the
recommended limits with little or no adverse reactions.
The only possible side effect is a minor flecking of
tooth enamel (fluorosis).
What is fluorosis?
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It is a developmental
disturbance of dental enamel caused by excessive exposure to high
concentrations of fluoride during tooth development.
The risk of fluoride overexposure
occurs between the ages of 3 months and 8 years.
It is cosmetic condition,
not a disease.
The teeth of those affected by fluorosis may appear mildly discoloured. For
instance, there may be lacy white markings that only dentists can detect.
In
more severe cases, however, the teeth may have:
- Stains ranging from yellow to dark brown
- Surface irregularities
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Treatment
of fluorosis
The appearance of teeth affected can
be improved by a variety of techniques. Most of them are aimed at mask the stains.
Such techniques may include:
- Tooth whitening and other procedures to remove surface stains
- Bonding, which coats the tooth with a hard resin that bonds to the enamel
- Crowns
- Veneers, which are custom-made shells that cover the front of the teeth to improve their appearance
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