What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a compound that comes from the naturally occurring element, fluorine. Fluoride can be found in most over-the-counter dental products, like toothpaste and mouthwash. The element fluorine can also be found in drinking water, which can help increase your child’s intake of fluoride. Using fluoride in small amounts on a regular basis can help decrease your child’s risk of tooth decay.
Why Fluoride Treatment Helps Children
Fluoride treatment provides another layer of protection when it comes to having a healthy smile and warding off cavities. Fluoride works to strengthen the enamel of your child’s teeth, leading to a stronger, healthier mouth, through a process called remineralization. Fluoride helps protect your teeth from the acidic environment that can break down enamel and lead to tooth decay. Introducing fluoride into your child’s dental regimen can help strengthen their smile and fight tooth decay.
Fluoride Helps Prevent Cavities in Kids
Through the process of remineralization, fluoride strengthens the teeth’s enamel which helps weakened areas become less susceptible to tooth decay. Bacteria and acid found in the mouth’s environment can cause cavities, but fluoride discourages the bacteria and acid from attacking the tooth’s enamel, causing tooth decay. The risk of decay is greatly reduced when the use of fluoride products is combined with a healthy diet and an optimal oral health regimen.
Topical Fluoride
Topical fluoride is a form of fluoride treatment that is brushed directly onto your child’s chewing surface by their pediatric dentist or dental professional. Topical fluoride is applied as a gel or a varnish. The application is quick and easy, taking just a few minutes to complete. Following fluoride treatment, have your child avoid eating crunchy foods and hot beverages, but they will be able to eat and drink otherwise. To achieve the maximum benefit of topical fluoride treatment, have your child avoid brushing or flossing for 4 to 6 hours after treatment to ensure their smile stays bright and healthy for life!
FAQs about Fluoride Treatment
What are the Benefits of Fluoride?
When used in small amounts on a routine basis, fluoride can help strengthen your child’s teeth and fight off tooth decay. Fluoride treatment is a great way to create a strong, healthy smile that can face anything!
Is Fluoride Safe for My Child?
Using fluoride for reducing the risk of tooth decay has been proven to be both safe and effective. Fluoride works to keep your child’s teeth healthy long-term. Fluoride only becomes dangerous when used in excessive or extreme amounts. Fluoride products should be stored out of reach of young children, and the use of fluoride products should be monitored by parents.
How is Fluoride Applied?
Fluoride treatments are applied by brushing or “painting” the fluoride varnish onto their teeth. This application is done right in the dentist’s office, following a regular cleaning or exam. The application of fluoride treatment is not painful and only takes a few minutes to complete.
What are the Possible Side Effects of Fluoride?
Fluoride is only dangerous when used in excessive and extreme amounts, which may cause dental fluorosis. Prolonged, excessive use of fluoride may result in noticeable white specks or streaks on the surface of teeth. Our dentists recommend only children 6 years of age and older use a fluoridated mouthwash and for younger children to be monitored when brushing their teeth.
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