Fluorosis affects the coloring of the teeth and is caused by excessive consumption and accumulation of fluoride in the body. Fluoride is found in toothpaste products, water supplies and fluoride medications. Fluorosis primarily affects children from birth to age eight, but fluorosis of the teeth can cause permanent discoloration. Discoloration begins with the formation of white spots on the teeth that can later turn pitted and stained as the child ages. There are some natural home treatments that can reduce the symptoms of fluorosis.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Visit a dentist to be diagnosed with fluorosis. The dentist will examine the teeth to check for damage to ameloblasts, the enamel-forming cells of the teeth. The dentist will also look for signs of mineralization on the teeth, a condition that will intensify the porosity of your tooth enamel.
Fluorosis cannot be reversed. Your dentist may repair your teeth through cosmetic measures, and may also advise you to increase your calcium and vitamin D intake to reduce the damage that can be caused by fluorosis.
Calcium Supplements
In "Herbs and Natural Supplements: An Evidence Based Guide," authors Lesley Braun and Marc Cohen explain that the use of calcium supplements has proven successful in diminishing the clinical manifestations of fluorosis.
Teeth need calcium to remain strong and healthy. Infants from birth to 6 months require 210 mg of calcium daily; infants 7 months to 1 year need 270 mg daily; children 1 to 3 years require 500 mg daily; children 4 to 8 need 800 mg daily; and children 9 to 18 require 1,300 mg of calcium a day. Adults 19 to 50 need 1,000 mg of calcium a day; individuals 51 or older need 1,200 mg a day; nursing and pregnant females should get 1,300 mg of calcium daily.
Possible side effects of calcium consumption include gastrointestinal upset and constipation. People with sarcoidosis, kidney conditions and cancer should refrain from using calcium supplements. Males with a familial history of prostate cancer should also avoid using calcium supplements. may interact or interfere with alendronate, aluminum-containing antacids, blood pressure medications, cholesterol-controlling medications, corticosteroids, digoxin, diuretics, estrogens, gentamicins, antibiotics and anti-seizure medications.
Vitamin D Supplements
Your body requires more vitamin D while you're taking calcium supplements to help absorb the calcium. Infants from birth to 18 years old need 5 mcg of vitamin D a day. Adults from age 19 to 50 require 5 mcg of vitamin D daily; individuals from age 51 to 69 need 10 mcg daily; and people over the age of 70 should get 15 mcg of vitamin D a day.
Do not take vitamin D supplements if you have high calcium levels in your blood, cardiovascular conditions or kidney conditions. Speak with your doctor before taking vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D supplement consumption may interfere with estrogens, isoniazids, thiazides, antacids, calcium channel blockers, cholestyramine and anticonvulsant medications.
Tags: daily children, from birth, need daily, calcium daily, calcium supplements, calcium supplements, cancer should