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Lowcountry Family Dentistry Beaufort SC Dentist

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843-986-0177
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154 Sea Island Pkwy, Beaufort, SC 29907
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  • Home
  • Our Office
    • Meet Dr. Covington
    • Meet Dr. DuRant
    • Our Technology
    • Dental Office Reviews
    • Leave a Review
  • Dental Services
    • General Dentistry
      • Family Dentistry
      • Teeth Cleanings
      • Dental Exams
      • Oral Cancer Screening
      • Periodontal Therapy
      • Periodontal Maintenance
      • Scaling and Root Planing
      • Tooth Extraction
      • Root Canal Therapy
      • Nitrous Sedation
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
      • Professional Teeth Whitening
      • Porcelain Veneers
      • Dental Bonding
      • Tooth Contouring & Shaping
      • Invisalign Clear Braces
    • Restorative Dentistry
      • Dental Fillings
      • Composite Fillings
      • Dental Crowns
      • Dental Bridge
      • Removable Dentures
      • Inlays and Onlays
      • Air Abrasion
    • Implant Dentistry
      • Single Tooth Dental Implants
      • Implant Supported Bridge
      • Implant Supported Dentures
    • Pediatric Dentistry
      • Children’s Teeth Cleaning
      • Fluoride Treatments
      • Dental Sealants
      • Stainless Steel Crowns
      • Space Maintainers
      • Children’s First Dental Visit
      • Interceptive Orthodontics
      • Pulp Therapy
      • Athletic Mouthguards
    • Emergency Dental Care
  • Dental Concerns
    • Bleeding Gums
    • Crooked Teeth
    • Discolored Teeth
    • TMJ/TMD Treatment
    • Dental Anxiety
    • Sleep Apnea
    • Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
  • CEREC Crowns
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What is Fluorosis?

November 24, 2020 //  by Lowcountry Family Dentistry

Dental fluorosis is the appearance of faint white lines or streaks on the teeth that only occurs when younger children consume too much fluoride, from any source, over long periods when teeth are developing under the gums. Once teeth break through the gums, you cannot develop fluorosis.

Fluorosis isn’t a disease and doesn’t affect the health of your teeth. In most cases, the effect is so subtle that only a dentist would notice it during an examination. The type of fluorosis found in the United States has no effect on tooth function and may make the teeth more resistant to decay.

What Can I Do to Prevent My Child From Developing Fluorosis?

The chance of developing fluorosis exists until about age eight because teeth are still forming under the gums. Ultimately, getting the right amount of fluoride is best—not too much and not too little. Dr. Covington, pediatrician or family physician can help you determine the proper amount of fluoride for your child. Here are some things parents can do at home to help prevent fluorosis:

Infant to 3 Years Old:

  • Breast feed your child. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the exclusive use of human milk for all infants (except for the few for whom breastfeeding is determined to be harmful) until they are 6 months of age, then adding solid foods and continuing to breastfeed until the child is at least 12 months old.
  • If your baby is primarily fed infant formula, consult your doctor on the best type of formula for your baby.
  • When your child’s teeth start coming in, brush them thoroughly twice a day (morning and night) or as directed by a dentist or physician.
  • Supervise children’s brushing to ensure that they use of the appropriate amount of toothpaste, which is no more than a smear or the size of a grain of rice.

3-8 Year Olds:

  • Continue brushing teeth thoroughly twice a day or as directed by a dentist or physician.
  • For children ages 3-6, use no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
  • Many cases of fluorosis can be prevented by keeping children from swallowing fluoride products like toothpaste. Keep an eye on your child’s brushing to help minimize the amount of toothpaste that gets swallowed.
  • Do not use fluoride mouth rinses for children under six unless advised to do so by a dentist or other health professional. The American Dental Association does not recommend them at this age because many children younger than six haven’t fully developed their swallowing reflex and may swallow more than they spit out.

Dietary Fluoride Supplements:

  • Use dietary fluoride supplements only as prescribed by a physician or a dentist. Fluoride supplements are recommended for children between 6 months and 16 years old living in non-fluoridated areas and at high risk of developing tooth decay. The prescription should follow the dietary fluoride supplement schedule approved by the ADA.

Visit Your Dentist for a Professional Application
If you have a good chance of getting cavities, our Beaufort dentist can apply a fluoride treatment directly to your teeth during your dental visit with a gel, foam or rinse.

Fluoride in Your Drinking Water:

  • Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires public water systems to notify its customers if the natural occurring fluoride level exceeds 2.0 mg/L or parts per million. People living in areas where naturally occurring fluoride levels in drinking water exceed 2 parts per million should consider an alternative water source or home water treatments to reduce the risk of fluorosis for young children.
  • While the EPA does not have the authority to regulate private drinking water wells, it recommends that private well water be tested once a year. If you home is hooked up to a private well, it’s a good idea to have the well tested for the fluoride level yearly especially if there are young children in the home. Naturally occurring fluoride levels can vary greatly from location to location. Provide your dentist and physician with the results of the well water testing so that they can provide you with accurate information on your family’s fluoride needs.

Schedule an Appointment

If you’re in need of a Beaufort SC dentist office to call home, Lowcountry Family Dentistry is always accepting great new patients. Call us at 843-986-0177 or schedule an appointment online to learn more about how our dental team can offer care for your entire family.

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Category: Dental Blog, Dental Education, Oral Health EducationTag: Fluoridation, Fluoride, Fluoride Treatments, Fluorosis

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Dental Services

  • General Dentistry
    • Family Dentistry
    • Teeth Cleanings
    • Dental Exams
    • Periodontal Therapy
    • Scaling and Root Planing
    • Periodontal Maintenance
    • Tooth Extraction
    • Root Canal Therapy
    • Nitrous Sedation (Laughing Gas)
  • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Professional Teeth Whitening
    • Porcelain Veneers
    • Dental Bonding
    • Tooth Contouring & Shaping
    • Invisalign Clear Braces
  • Restorative Dentistry
    • Dental Fillings
    • Composite Fillings
    • Dental Crowns
    • Dental Bridge
    • Implant Supported Dentures
    • Air Abrasion
  • Pediatric Dentistry
    • Fluoride Treatments
    • Dental Sealants
    • Stainless Steel Crowns
    • Space Maintainers
    • Children’s First Dental Visit
    • Interceptive Orthodontics
    • Pulp Therapy
    • Athletic Mouthguards
  • Emergency Dental Care
  • Dental Concerns
    • Bleeding Gums
    • Crooked Teeth
    • Discolored Teeth
    • Sleep Apnea
    • TMJ/TMD Treatment
    • Dental Anxiety
  • Same-Day Crowns (CEREC)
  • Dental Implants
    • Benefits of Dental Implants
    • Types of Dental Implants
    • Dental Implant Procedure
    • Cost of Dental Implants
    • Dental Implants vs Dentures
    • Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?

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154 Sea Island Pkwy
Beaufort, SC 29907

843-986-0177

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