Your child’s smile is one of the brightest spots in your life, and you should want to foster and support it from a very early age! One way you can do this is by ensuring their teeth are benefiting from fluoride. However, you may be wondering when the right time is to introduce this unique mineral into your child’s dental routine. Continue reading to learn a little more about fluoride and how it can benefit your child’s teeth very early on in their life.
What Is Fluoride & How Does It Benefit Teeth?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that’s often referred to by dentists as “nature’s cavity-fighter.” The most common sources for fluoride are tap water and hygiene products like toothpaste – both storebought varieties as well as the ones used in dental offices. It can also be occasionally found in other drinks like bottled teas and soft drinks, though these are not significant sources.
Once ingested or directly applied to the teeth, fluoride benefits the teeth by assisting their enamel, or outermost layer. It helps to repair this layer, which otherwise cannot heal on its own. It also reduces the harmful effects of plaque, making the teeth more resistant to decay.
Despite any myths you might’ve heard, research repeatedly concludes that exposure to fluoride by young children isn’t negatively associated with things like emotional or behavioral development. Dental fluorosis, which is caused by overexposure to fluoride at a young age and manifests as discoloration of the teeth, does not affect the health of the teeth.
When Should My Child Receive Fluoride Treatments?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years have some form of fluoride every day. This can include fluoridated tap water but should also encompass the oral hygiene products they use. In some cases, fluoride can also be taken as a supplement.
When your child’s very first tooth appears, you can begin brushing using a very small amount of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. By the time they’re 3 years old and more of their teeth have erupted, you can begin using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
Of course, you should also be bringing your child in for routine dental care every six months, starting no later than their first birthday. These checkups and cleanings often include a fluoride treatment in the form of a varnish, gel, or foam that is applied directly to the surface of the teeth.
The bottom line is that when it comes to cavities, treating them is important – but preventing them is best, and fluoride plays an integral role in this. If your child’s dentist has suggested administering a fluoride treatment, know that they’re doing so with your child’s best interests in mind!
About the Practice
Our team here at Kids’ Smiles on Lincoln has proudly served families in the Worcester community for several years, offering a wide range of pediatric dental services for children of all ages, including fluoride treatments aimed at preventing cavities from damaging teeth. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to set up a visit for your child, please visit us online or call us today for information or assistance. Telephone: (508) 290-0090.