Dental pitting is an uncommon problem, but a serious one. If you have pitted teeth and haven't sought treatment for them yet, you should consider doing so. This condition can put your teeth at risk as well as change how you feel about your appearance. Here's what you need to know about pitted teeth.

How It Happens

Teeth actually become pitted because of something that happens during childhood. When children consume too much fluoride, it can result in small enamel spots, otherwise known as mottled teeth. These spots are often nearly undetectable, but in more serious cases, they can discolor the teeth significantly and make people feel embarrassed about their teeth's appearance. This is called fluorosis. However, if the amount of fluoride is constant and extreme, it can actually damage the structure of the tooth, causing the pitted appearance. Unfortunately, this is where the problems begin for people with pitted teeth.

Damage and Injury Threat

When teeth have experienced severe enough fluorosis to cause pitting, it typically means that the underlying structure of the tooth is damaged as well. With hypomineralization, the enamel is often softer than it should be. This means that your teeth can be more easily damaged from things like abrasions, injuries, and you may be more susceptible to cavities, as well.

Unfortunately, there isn't any known way to reverse fluorosis, so the next best thing is taking care of your teeth with the help of a dentist.

Management

If you do indeed have pitted teeth from fluorosis, chances are your dentist will recommend dental crowns.

Your dental crowns will do two important things: repair your appearance, and protect your teeth.

Dental crowns can be made out of the same porcelain material that artificial teeth are made from. This gives them a very realistic color, and porcelain has the same glossy finish that real teeth do.

In the meanwhile, the presence of the crown will protect your teeth from being damaged. Bacteria will be locked out by the crown, and any pressure your tooth is put under will first be absorbed by the crown. This will greatly reduce the risk of your teeth being chipped or broken when put under extreme stress.

Dental pitting is a significant problem for people who encountered too much fluoride during their childhoods. If you're concerned about how your teeth look and the potential damage that could be done to them, talk to a dentist about getting crowns.

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