There is a joke among the locals that you can tell the difference between a visitor and a local just by looking at their teeth.

This is because most locals have brown teeth caused by fluoride in the water they drink.

According to Dr Gitahi Gichuki, fluoride occurs naturally in the soil, which later contaminates the water.

Dr Gitahi Gichuki.

Photo credit: Winnie Kimani/Mtaa Wangu

For this reason, there is not much that can be done unless the water is purified and the salt in the soil is removed. This is an expensive process for an underdeveloped country.

"The water in Nakuru has always been a threat because 80 per cent of the population suffers from dental fluorosis and as a result I get too many patients looking for a solution," said Dr Gichuki.

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"The fluoride in Nakuru water not only causes teeth to turn brown but also weakens them and makes them susceptible to decay," he said.

The doctor goes on to explain that excessive fluorosis causes teeth to become brittle and later break, leaving tiny holes that attract food particles to accumulate along with saliva and bacteria. leading to the formation of cavities.

According to the doctor, when a cavity reaches the root of a tooth, it damages the nerve, causing pain and may result in the tooth having to be removed.

Unfortunately, there is no technology to bleach brown teeth, so Dr Gichuki recommends either veneers or crowns.

Veneers only cover the front of the tooth, while crowns cover the entire tooth. However, like crowns, veneers are irreversible.

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"Veneers last up to ten years and rarely break, so they save you the time for regular check-ups," he says.

He advises people with brown teeth not to be afraid and to see a dentist as soon as they notice a slight formation of brown teeth, before it is too late.

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Years of drinking contaminated water that has left Nakuru residents with a distinct look

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Winnie Kimani