If a young child regularly ingests fluoride while their teeth are still developing, they may be at risk of developing a defect of the tooth enamel called dental fluorosis. This condition is one of the most common dental defects in kids under age 8 and can take many forms on our little one’s teeth. Typically, an infected tooth will become stained with white splotches or streaking, and in more severe cases, dark brown spots and pitting of the tooth enamel, according to Kids Health (4). In these severe cases, aside from the psychological effects your children may feel about the appearance of their teeth, treatment can become quite costly. In mild to severe cases, micro abrasion, bonding, and veneers are each treatment options – all requiring enamel removal with long-term treatments that can run to $500 - $2,500 per month (5).

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Find out why fluoride is in our toothpaste, and where else it can be found! Plus, determine if you children are being overexposed.