Menu

Get a Glamurous Smile


What Is Fluorosis?

Fluoridated water is considered to be very safe for older children and adults, but can put infants at risk for fluorosis. If you are a parent of a very young child, this FAQ will help you understand what fluorosis is and how you can prevent your child from getting fluorosis.

What is fluorosis?

Fluorosis is a condition affecting the enamel of the teeth, caused by consumption of high amounts of fluoride while the teeth are developing under the gums. Fluorosis does not negatively affect the strength of the teeth, but can cause white splotches and brown spots on the enamel of the teeth. Fluorosis is a problem that often develops when babies are in their infant stage, because their teeth have not yet erupted from the gums.

How can I prevent my infant from getting fluorosis?

There are many ways that you can prevent your infant from consuming too much fluoride.

  • Breastfeed your infant. Breastfed children get much less fluoride in their diet than children who consume formula mixed with fluoridated water.
  • Feed your child powdered formula mixed with non-fluoridated water. Many communities fluoridate their water to protect the teeth of the people who live there. If your community fluoridates its water, and you feed your baby dry formula mixed with water, then you can protect your infant from fluorosis by mixing your baby's formula with de-ionized, distilled, purified or demineralized water purchased from the grocery store, provided that these waters do not indicate that fluoride was added after the purification process.
  • Feed your baby pre-mixed formula. Pre-mixed formulas contain very little fluoride to ensure the safety of the infant.

At what point can I let my child be exposed to fluoride?

The American Dental Association recommends using fluoridated toothpaste as soon as a child's teeth have erupted. For children younger than 3 years of age, use a smear of toothpaste no larger than a grain of rice. For information about when your child should start drinking fluoridated water, have your child examined by a dentist, and consult with your child's physician. The amount of tap water that your child should be allowed to drink will depend in part on the condition of your child's teeth as well as the amount of fluoride in the water where you live. Both the dentist and the physician can help you determine how much fluoride your child needs in order to have strong, healthy teeth without being put at risk for fluorosis.

Contact a dental office like Smile 1st Dental Care for more help.

About Me

Get a Glamurous Smile

When I go to college next semester, I’ll be applying for my school’s pre-dentistry program. From there, I plan to go to dental school and become a cosmetic dentist. I can’t wait to learn how to help my patients uncover their most dazzling smiles. You’d be surprised how much cosmetic dentistry can do for you. I started this blog to talk about the techniques, advancements in cosmetic dentistry, new dental technology, and other news you can use concerning the field. If you’ve ever considered seeing a cosmetic dentist to improve your smile, this blog is for you. You deserve a glamorous smile too!

Latest Posts

What's A White Filling And Why Might You Need One?
18 May 2023

Some dental restorations are better known by their

3 Benefits Of Tapered Dental Implants
18 May 2023

If you are getting a dental implant, you may be su

5 Common General Dental Cosmetic And Restorative Procedures
7 April 2023

Dental care is important for keeping your teeth an

What Can Botox Injections Do For You?
3 March 2023

Botox injections are a safe and affordable way to

3 Reasons It's A Bad Idea To Put Off A Root Canal
19 December 2022

Root canals have something of an undeserved reputa