Community dentistry: fluorosis from toothpaste swallowing: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Community dentistry: fluorosis from toothpaste swallowing

Sample item

A mother lets her 3-year-old use a full ribbon of fluoride toothpaste and swallow the excess. Which long-term effect is the child at risk of?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Enamel fluorosis of the permanent incisors

Excess fluoride swallowed while the crowns of permanent incisors are forming disturbs ameloblasts and causes mottled enamel. A pea-sized amount with spitting is advised.

Option by option

  • A. Early eruption of the permanent teeth

    Fluoride does not accelerate tooth eruption.

  • B. Dentinogenesis imperfecta

    Dentinogenesis imperfecta is genetic and unrelated to fluoride.

  • C. Enamel fluorosis of the permanent incisors (correct)

    Correct. Swallowing excess fluoride during enamel formation causes fluorosis.

  • D. Skeletal fluorosis

    Skeletal fluorosis needs years of high intake from water, not toothpaste.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is C, Enamel fluorosis of the permanent incisors. Excess fluoride swallowed while the crowns of permanent incisors are forming disturbs ameloblasts and causes mottled enamel.

Why is "Early eruption of the permanent teeth" not the answer?

Fluoride does not accelerate tooth eruption.

Why is "Dentinogenesis imperfecta" not the answer?

Dentinogenesis imperfecta is genetic and unrelated to fluoride.

Why is "Skeletal fluorosis" not the answer?

Skeletal fluorosis needs years of high intake from water, not toothpaste.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Community dentistry: fluorosis from toothpaste swallowing in Dentistry. A pea-sized amount with spitting is advised.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Community dentistry: fluorosis from toothpaste swallowing?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.