Every parent wants what’s best for their children’s health, and installing good care habits can make a big difference in their smiles. From teaching them the correct brushing technique to scheduling regular visits to the pediatric dentist in Cool Springs, the work you put in every day sets the base for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
That doesn’t mean dentists don’t have a few “cheat codes.” Fluoride can be the greatest ally for young patients who struggle to maintain good oral hygiene.
What Is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in various foods and water. In dentistry, it is used to strengthen teeth and reduce the risk of cavities.
Your enamel—the tooth's outermost layer of protection—gains and loses minerals every day. You lose minerals when your enamel is attacked by acids created by plaque, bacteria, and sugars in your mouth. This process is known as demineralization.
Minerals are acquired through a process called remineralization, when you consume foods and water that contain them. When there is insufficient remineralization and excessive demineralization, tooth decay results. By strengthening your enamel's resistance to acid attacks, dental fluoride helps prevent demineralization and thus, tooth decay.
What Are the Benefits of Fluoride?
Fluoride offers several well-established benefits for your child’s oral health.
- Stops Tooth Decay: Fluoride fortifies tooth enamel, increasing its resistance to acid attacks from sugars and plaque bacteria. In fact, studies show that fluoride can reduce cavities by up to 25% in children and adults.
- Remineralizes Enamel: By drawing in minerals like calcium and phosphate, fluoride aids in the restoration (remineralization) of damaged enamel. This can actually reverse early signs of tooth decay, stopping small cavities from spreading in your child’s smile!
- Protects Growing Teeth: Fluoride provides long-term protection by becoming a component of your child's growing permanent teeth when ingested during childhood (for example, in fluoridated water).
- Antibacterial Properties: Fluoride can help maintain a healthier oral environment by preventing the growth of dangerous oral bacteria and lowering the amount of acid they produce.
- Saves Money on Dental Care: Fewer cavities equal less need for fillings, crowns, and other dental work, which can result in significant long-term cost savings.
Types of Fluoride Used in Dentistry
As mentioned, fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral, which means it can be found in food and water in some areas. For example, seafood, like shrimp and crab legs, is a good source.
You can also purchase over-the-counter fluoride toothpastes, a reliable way to strengthen your child’s enamel every time they brush their teeth.
For more intense treatments, in a dental office, dentists provide fluoride in three forms:
- Foam dispensed into a custom tray and placed over their teeth.
- Varnish painted directly on their teeth.
- Gel painted on their teeth or dispensed in a custom tray.
Afterward, children need to rinse their mouths with water.
Why Do Some People Believe Fluoride Is Harmful?
You may have heard some crazy rumors about fluoride. However, this highly misunderstood mineral isn’t harmful to humans, unless consumed in excessive amounts.
For more than 70 years, fluoride has been added to the majority of public water supplies in the United States. Since fluoride is present in our water, many parents are concerned that this, along with fluoride toothpaste, rinses, and dental office treatments, is causing excessive exposure and negative health effects.
Although excessive fluoride exposure is a public health concern, the World Health Organization states that fluoridation of municipal water is not the cause and that dental products containing fluoride contribute very little to total fluoride intake.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, municipalities maintain a level of 0.7 milligrams per liter, which is significantly lower than the 6 milligrams per liter that raises the risk of skeletal fluorosis.
When Should I Begin with Fluoride Treatments for My Child?
Dental professionals recommend fluoride treatments for children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years. Exposing developing teeth to this mineral helps them incorporate it, resulting in stronger enamel in the future.
However, it’s important to be careful with your child’s fluoride intake, especially if they’re just learning how to brush. The ADA recommends using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste at each brushing and making sure the child spits out rather than swallows the toothpaste.
These recommendations prevent enamel fluorosis, faint white streaks that can appear on tooth enamel during a child’s developmental years due to fluoride overexposure.
Fluoride and Braces: The Perfect Combination
For children undergoing orthodontic treatments, keeping up with good oral hygiene can be especially challenging—flossing with braces is no easy feat, even for adults. For that reason, fluoride treatments can be a wonderful ally.
Fluoride helps remineralize dental enamel and prevent cavities, ensuring no tooth decay interrupts your child’s orthodontic journey. It also helps prevent those white spots that can appear around the brackets as a result of demineralization.
How Often Should I Get My Child Fluoride Treatments?
Your particular needs regarding oral health will determine the answer to this question. Many people benefit from fluoride treatments once every six months. However, if your child is prone to cavities or is going through an orthodontic treatment, more frequent treatments may help keep their smile healthy. We also recommend combining it with other preventative treatments like dental sealants for maximum protection.
The only way to find out the perfect frequency for you is through a personalized consultation with your dentist!
Keep Your Child’s Smile Healthy with the Help of a Pediatric Dentist in Cool Springs
When caring for your child’s smile, there are several things you can do: from teaching them the importance of good oral hygiene to scheduling regular pediatric visits at Happy Harpeth Pediatric & Orthodontics. Using fluoride is another key tip to reinforce.
While some people claim fluoride is harmful, research has repeatedly shown that this mineral can do wonders for your child’s smile. If you’d like to learn more about its benefits, contact us today!
