HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

What can cause intrinsic tooth discoloration during development?

1. Environmental factors

2. Excessive fluoride intake

3. Diet only

4. Trauma only

The correct answer is: Excessive fluoride intake

Intrinsic tooth discoloration during development often occurs due to factors that affect the formation and mineralization of the tooth structure while it is still developing. Excessive fluoride intake, also known as dental fluorosis, is a key cause of intrinsic discoloration. When fluoride is ingested in excessive amounts during the critical periods of tooth development, it can lead to changes in enamel as well as the underlying dentin, resulting in a range of discoloration forms, from chalky white spots to brown staining. This condition is intrinsically linked to the teeth themselves, and it often leads to permanent discoloration that cannot be removed through regular whitening procedures. Other factors such as environmental influences and diet might contribute to tooth discoloration, but they typically do not cause the intrinsic changes linked with fluoride exposure during tooth development. Similarly, trauma might lead to discoloration as well, but it is usually more associated with the effects on already erupted teeth rather than intrinsic changes occurring during the developmental stages. Thus, excessive fluoride intake stands out as a primary cause of intrinsic discoloration related directly to the developmental phase of teeth.