Fluorosis occurs when children are exposed to too much fluoride too early in life. Well-meaning parents may not have received the message that infant gums and teeth should not be brushed with a fluoridated toothpaste, and that fluoridated water should not be a regular part of their children's diets regardless of how it gets into their children's bodies. The mottling effect of fluorosis can be fixed by a good cosmetic dentist, but the answer is not more fluoride. If you have signs of fluorosis on your teeth, there are different cosmetic procedures available based on the severity of the condition on (and in) your teeth.

Bleaching or Whitening

If the fluorosis effects on your teeth are mild, then a dental grade whitening agent may be just enough to even out the mottled white appearance of your teeth. You can test this at home with a whitening kit you can use at home. (Before you try it, be sure to check the label for fluoride content. You do not want a product to add more fluoride while you are attempting to remove stains created by too much fluoride already.) Ask your dentist for his or her suggestions and recommendations about which kits would be best for your situation and which ones would produce results similar to those you will get from a cosmetic dental application.

Bleaching is more intense, and best left to the professionals. It is also a better option if your fluorosis is moderate to severe, and no amount of whitening in or outside the dental chair is going to change the appearance of your teeth. The professional, cosmetic bleaching pulls the stains right out of the dentin in your teeth, leaving them a uniform white.

Veneers

When the level of fluorosis is so severe that pulling your teeth is healthier for your mouth and better for your appearance overall, you may be able to get veneers instead. Veneers cover the fronts and biting surfaces of your teeth completely and salvage the remaining health of your teeth. Unfortunately, you will have to avoid almost all products with either type of fluoride in them, whether it is sodium fluoride (found in city tap water) or calcium fluoride, which is commonly used in toothpastes and mouthwashes, for the remaining part of your life to avoid further damage to the teeth underneath your new veneers. Thankfully, there are several toothpastes, bottled waters, and mouthwashes on the market that you can use in place of these common, everyday consumables. For more information, talk to a cosmetic dentist.