Final answer:
Fluorosis occurs during tooth development, affecting both deciduous and permanent teeth. It is caused by excessive fluoride intake while the teeth are being formed in the jaw and can lead to enamel damage. Community water fluoridation manages fluoride levels to prevent tooth decay and fluorosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fluorosis occurs during tooth development, specifically when the teeth are being formed in the jaw before they emerge. The condition can affect both deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Fluoride in optimal amounts can help prevent tooth decay by forming fluorapatite, which is less soluble and more resistant to acid attacks, protecting the teeth. However, excessive fluoride intake during the critical years of tooth development can lead to fluorosis, which can cause changes in the appearance of the enamel ranging from mild discoloration to severe staining, surface irregularities, and pitting.
Community water fluoridation is the controlled adjustment of fluoride to a level that helps prevent tooth decay. Excessive natural fluoride levels in groundwater in certain regions can lead to dental and skeletal fluorosis, with dental fluorosis occurring during tooth development before teeth break through the gums. Minimizing the intake of fluoride during these stages can help prevent fluorosis.