Deficiency diseases-know about your teeth discoloration

Why your teeth become discolored?

Your teeth can become discolored by stains on the surface or by changes inside the tooth. There are three main types of tooth discoloration:

Extrinsic —This occurs when the outer layer of the tooth (the enamel) is stained. Coffee, wine, cola or other drinks or foods can stain teeth. Smoking also causes extrinsic stains.

Intrinsic — This is when the inner structure of the tooth (the dentin) darkens or gets a yellow tint. You can get this type of discoloration if, you had too much exposure to fluoride

during early childhood.

Combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors - Age-related — This is a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Dentin naturally yellows over time. The enamel that covers the teeth gets thinner with age, which allows the dentin to show through. Foods and smoking also can stain teeth as people get older. Finally------- Chips or other injuries can discolor a tooth, especially when the pulp has been damaged.

What is tooth decay? How does tooth decay occur?

Tooth decay begins when the outer surface of the tooth is attacked by acid. The acid is produced by bacteria which live on the surfaces of the teeth as a layer called plaque. When foods or drinks containing sugars enter the mouth, the bacteria within the plaque rapidly convert the sugars into acid. The plaque can hold the acid in contact with the tooth surface for up to 2 hours before it is neutralised by saliva. During the time that the plaque is acidic, some of the calcium and phosphate minerals, of which enamel is largely composed, are dissolved out of the enamel into the plaque. This process is called demineralisation. However, once the plaque acid has been neutralised the minerals can return to the enamel surface - a process called remineralisation. This whole process is often described as an "ionic see-saw" in which mineral ions constantly move back and forth between the tooth surface and the plaque.

The capacity for remineralisation is, however, limited, and if sugars enter the mouth too frequently a net loss of mineral from the enamel surface results in a cavity through which bacteria can penetrate and infect the inner structure of the tooth. This is tooth decay and, if left untreated, will gradually destroy the tooth causing pain and often the formation of an abscess.

Which are the drugs or minerals responsible for tooth decay and discoloration?

This could be due to

a)      fluorine deficiency 

b)      Your mother used tetracycline antibiotics during the second half of pregnancy.

c)       You used tetracycline antibiotics when you were 8 years old or younger.

d)      Use of other drugs

What is fluoride deficiency?

Fluoride or fluorine deficiency is a disorder which may cause increased dentalcaries (or tooth decay, is the breakdown of dental tissues by the acidic products released by the "bacterial fermentation of dietary carbohydrates.") and possibly osteoporosis (a bone disorder which leads to a decrease in bone mass.

How does fluoride affect teeth?

Fluoride has proven to be an essential element with preventative and protective properties. Fluoride is capable of combating and working against tooth decay and increases resistance to the "demineralisation of tooth enamel during attack by acidic bacteria. While essential for all individuals, it is significant for children, as when ingested, the fluoride is incorporated into their developing enamel. This in turn causes their teeth to become less prone to decay. Therefore, a relationship can be formulated, in that the more fluoride entering the body, the overall decline in the rate of decay (fluoride occurs naturally within water supplies, at a concentration of approximately 0.1 mg/L. However, this number varies amongst different populations, as specific fluoridated communities exceed this amount, ranging from 0.6-1.0 mg/L of fluoride present. Studies have proven that fluoridated water has reduced total tooth decay by up to 60%. The process of incorporating more fluoride into water systems is an affordable mechanism that can provide many beneficial effects in the long term).

What is the role of fluoride?

Fluoride is essential as it incorporates into the teeth to form and harden teeth enamels so that the teeth are more acid resistant as well as more resistant to cavity forming bacteria.Caries-inhibiting effects of fluoride were first seen in 1902 when fluoride in high concentrations was found to stain teeth and prevent tooth decay.

Fluoride salts, particularly sodium fluoride (NaF), are used in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. Symptoms such as fractured hips in the elderly or brittle and weak bones are caused due to fluorine deficiency in the body.  Fluoride stimulates bone formation and increases bone density, however bone with excess fluoride content has an abnormal structure resulting in increased fragility. Thus fluoride therapy results in large increases in bone mineral density but the effect on fracture rates, while positive, is small.

How does fluoride protect your teeth?

Fluoride interferes with the process of tooth decay in at least four ways:

1. If children ingest sufficient fluoride during the period of enamel development (up to 7 years of age) the fluoride alters the structure of the developing enamel making it more resistant to acid attack. This was originally thought to be the most important mechanism of fluoride; however, with advances in knowledge this is now understood to be the least important mechanism.
2. When teeth are subjected to alternating demineralisation and remineralisation, the presence of fluoride in the plaque and saliva both encourages remineralisation and ensures that the enamel crystals that are laid down are of improved quality. 
3.  The third way in which fluoride works is by reducing the ability of the plaque bacteria to produce acid. This is a major factor in the prevention of tooth decay. It results from the ability of the plaque bacteria to concentrate the low levels of fluoride at the tooth surface up to a level which inhibits the function of some enzymes which are essential to the bacteria's ability to produce acid.
4. A fourth, and probably minor effect of fluoride is that, if sufficient fluoride is ingested during childhood when the teeth are developing, it affects the depth of the fissures (grooves) on the biting surfaces of the teeth. In children who grow up in areas where the drinking water is fluoridated these grooves in the teeth tend to be shallower, thus reducing the ability of plaque to remain undisturbed. For this reason control of sugars in the diet, water fluoridation, and the regular use of fluoride toothpaste remain the cornerstones of tooth decay prevention.

Use fluoride supplements

Fluoride supplements were first recognised and highly suggested by health professionals, in areas where the practice of fluoridating water was not accepted. Such mechanisms are recommended for individuals, primarily children (whom of which are at a greater risk of caries) in low-fluoride areas. Supplements can be in various forms including tablets, drops or lozenges, and have proven to greatly decrease the case and rate of tooth decay.

Fluoride toothpaste came into production in the 1890s, after its benefits were investigated. This product has become available to most industrialised countries.

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