title: Dental fluorosis in the paediatric patient.
abstract: Exposure to excessive fluoride intake during the early childhood years can disrupt the normal development of enamel, resulting in dental fluorosis. This varies in severity, ranging from white opacities in mild cases to more severe black and brown discoloration or enamel pitting. This article aims to give the reader a better understanding of the aetiology, diagnosis and subsequent treatment of dental fluorosis in the paediatric patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fluorosis can have a marked effect on dental aesthetics. The prevalence of fluorosis in the United Kingdom may increase following the publication of Delivering Better Oral Health, published by the Department of Health in 2007, which suggested changes to fluoride levels in children's toothpastes. This article highlights the importance of accurate diagnosis of fluorosis and also explains the treatment options available to paediatric patients.
authors.affiliation: Manchester Dental Hospital, Higher Cambridge Street, Manchester M15 6FH.
authors.forename: Gahder-Sara
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Atia
authors.affiliation: Birmingham Dental Hospital, St Chad's Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6NN, UK.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: May
mesh_terms: D002327:Cariostatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000473:pathology; D003744:Dental Enamel Hypoplasia / Q000175:diagnosis; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D003801:Dental Veneers; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019243:Enamel Microabrasion / Q000379:methods; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005459:Fluorides / Q000009:adverse effects; D009050:Fluorosis, Dental / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D014073:Tooth Bleaching / Q000379:methods; D014075:Tooth Discoloration / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D002327:Cariostatic Agents; D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; D005459:Fluorides