Dental fluorosis associated with chronic ingestion of dentifrices – what health professionals should know

• Main Authors: Rosa Virginia Dutra de Oliveira, Fernanda Lourenção Brighenti
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina de Família e Comunidade 2015-03-01
• Series: Revista Brasileira de Medicina de Família e Comunidade
• Subjects: Fluorosis; Dental; Dentifrices; Child
• Online Access: https://www.rbmfc.org.br/rbmfc/article/view/812

This paper reports on two cases of dental fluorosis caused by inadvertent ingestion of fluoridated dentifrice. An eight-year-old child showed whitish spots and loss of dental enamel in first permanent molars and whitish spots without structure loss in permanent incisors and primary second molars, whereas a fourteen-year-old teenager showed whitish spots in all permanent teeth. In both cases, homologue teeth were affected similarly and mothers did not report on the use of fluoride supplements during pregnancy or children’s infancy. The water fluoridation of the city where they live is considered optimal. Both patients reported eating dentifrice frequently during tooth brushing and in other occasions. Mothers also stated that they did not receive instructions about oral hygiene or about the fact that chronic ingestion of dentifrice could contribute to the development of dental fluorosis. It is believed that the cooperative work between dentists and other health professionals is a way to prevent the occurrence of this condition.