Dental Fluorosis – White Spots & Marks On Teeth

If you have fluorosis and want a treatment designed to reduce its visibility, contact Yorkshire Dental Suite to discuss treatment options in one of our 9 nationwide private dentals clinics. Your dentist will assess which option is right for you at consultation.

Dental fluorosis is a condition that marks the surface of your teeth with white flecks, spots and lines. These marks can range from barely visible to severe, where the discolouration is brown and covers a large portion of your smile.

Public Health England's 2018 report found fluorosis that may affect the appearance of teeth in about 10% of 11 to 14-year-olds examined in two fluoridated English cities, and about 2% in two non-fluoridated cities*. It is not usually painful and doesn't affect the function of the tooth.

What are the causes of fluorosis, and can I prevent it?

The dental condition is caused by overexposure to fluoride while your permanent teeth are evolving (while adult teeth are forming, mostly up to around age 8). Once the adult teeth have started to come through the gums, you cannot develop dental fluorosis.

To help minimise the risk of the condition forming, you can assist your child while they clean their teeth. Make sure they do not use too much toothpaste and mouthwash and teach them to spit out the toothpaste once they have finished brushing.

The different levels of dental fluorosis

From patient to patient, the severity of dental fluorosis differs. What do the different levels look like?

• Questionable: Occasional white spots and flecks visible.
• Very mild: Less than 25% of the tooth is covered in light white patches.
• Mild: Less than 50% of the tooth is covered with white discolouration.
• Moderate: More than 50% of the tooth is marked. The spots are white or light brown.
• Severe: All surfaces of the enamel are affected with white, light brown and dark brown discolouration. There may also be pitting (enamel wear and tear).

Treatment options

Can dental fluorosis be reversed? The answer is no. However, there are certain fluorosis treatments that disguise its appearance. Here are the ways in which you can get rid of white spots on teeth.

Teeth whitening

Teeth whitening can help even out tooth colour and make mild white marks less noticeable, though results vary. At Yorkshire Dental Suite, we use a 16% concentration of carbamide peroxide, which is a prescription-strength whitening gel, only available through a dentist, with results that can last several months, depending on diet and lifestyle habits.

This agent releases hydrogen peroxide when it comes into contact with the surface of the tooth, acting as a bleaching agent to whiten the enamel and lift stains. You may be wondering, does teeth whitening damage enamel? If the carbamide peroxide concentration is too high, it has the potential to harm your teeth. That’s why it’s important to choose a dentist-led treatment.

• Price for teeth whitening at Yorkshire Dental Suite: £395

Nanofill Composite Bonding®

The next level in cosmetic dentistry, Nanofill Composite Bonding® improves the look of your smile in just one appointment (usually under four hours!). How? Our trademarked process includes painting over the tooth with a durable resin. Then, it is meticulously moulded and shaped into the desired look, before being set with a UV light.

The procedure is designed to last up to 8 years if well cared for. Alongside discolouration caused by dental fluorosis, this treatment can also improve the look of chips, cracks and small gaps.

• Price for composite bonding: £395 per tooth

Porcelain veneers

If your dental fluorosis is more severe, your local dentist may suggest porcelain veneers. An incredibly popular treatment, it is also a great option for patients with teeth worn down by years of wear and tear.

Your dentist will start by removing part of the tooth’s enamel. Next, your custom-made veneer is placed onto its surface, instantly reimagining the colour, shape and size of the tooth. Lasting many years with good care, our durable veneers offer a natural-looking, brighter smile.

• Price for porcelain veneers: £895 per tooth

Why is fluoride important?

A naturally occurring mineral found in toothpastes and mouthwashes, alongside certain foods and drinks, fluoride actually plays an essential role in our dental health. It helps to strengthen the enamel, which helps strengthen enamel and reduce the risk of tooth decay. Therefore, fluoride is important!

Decalcification VS fluorosis

Similar to fluorosis, decalcification affects the tooth enamel. However, there are some key differences between the two conditions. Decalcification occurs when minerals are lost from the enamel. This can be a result of plaque and tartar build-up, as well as certain food and drinks.

Conclusion:

While it is generally not painful and has no impact on your day-to-day life, we understand that having teeth with fluorosis can affect your confidence. With our cosmetic procedures, you are able to disguise the discolouration – contact us to discuss your treatment options.

*Public Health England (2018). Water Fluoridation: Health Monitoring Report for England 2018. Available here.