Module 3: Prevention of Tooth Decay
3.6 What is Fluorosis?
Consumption of too much fluoride or use of too much topical fluoride (for example, swallowing excessive amounts of fluoridated toothpaste) during infancy and childhood, when the teeth are developing, can result in fluorosis. Fluorosis usually appears as small white areas in the enamel. Fluorosis is a cosmetic problem that usually does not affect health. The risk of fluorosis can be greatly reduced by properly supervising fluoride use in infants and children, especially up to age 6 when the teeth are developing.
Generally, infants and children will not consume too much fluoride as long as (1) only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste is used for toothbrushing (for children ages 2 and above), (2) only plain water is used for toothbrushing (for infants and children under age 2), and (3) an adult brushes the infant’s or child’s teeth or, for older children, supervises toothbrushing.
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