---
title: "What Is Dental fluorosis? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "Dental fluorosis is a change in how enamel looks, usually faint white lines or streaks, caused by too much fluoride while teeth are forming."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-fluorosis
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Conditions

# Dental fluorosis

Dental fluorosis is a change in how enamel looks, usually faint white lines or streaks, caused by too much fluoride while teeth are forming.

Dental fluorosis is the appearance of faint white lines or streaks on the teeth. It only occurs when younger children consume too much fluoride, from any source, over long periods when teeth are developing under the gums. Once teeth break through the gums, you cannot develop fluorosis.

The ADA says fluorosis is not a disease and does not affect the health of your teeth. The mild type seen most often in the United States has no effect on how a tooth works. It is only a change in appearance.

Ask your child's dentist about fluoride at each age. If stains bother you, options such as [teeth whitening](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/teeth-whitening) or [bonding](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/dental-bonding) may be discussed. See also [fluoride toothpaste](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/fluoride-toothpaste).

## Related terms

-   [Fluoride toothpaste](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/fluoride-toothpaste)
-   [Community water fluoridation](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/community-water-fluoridation)
-   [Tooth discoloration](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/tooth-discoloration)
-   [Enamel](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/enamel)
-   [Teeth whitening](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/teeth-whitening)

## Sources

1.  [MouthHealthy (ADA): Fluorosis](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/fluorosis)
2.  [MouthHealthy (ADA): Fluorosis](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/fluorosis)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)