Importance of Fluoride Treatment for Kids

Besides teeth brushing and flossing, pediatric dentists recommend fluoride treatment for kids. Fluoride has been used in dentistry for the last 70 years, bringing many oral health benefits to your child. Fluoride intake minimizes the risk of getting dental cavities or tooth decay. That’s why many communities use fluoridated water to ensure everyone’s health.

Do you want to know more about fluoride, its sources, and its benefits? Then, continue reading and discover why fluoride treatment is essential for your child’s oral health care.

What is Fluoride, and Why It’s Important?

Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps prevent cavity formation. Fluoride treatment is essential for both kids and adults. However, it is specifically helpful for children whose teeth are still developing and need nourishment. Many communities have added tap water fluoride to protect people’s teeth from damage.

Also, children frequently desire to eat candies and sugary foods or drinks. Bacteria in the mouth combine with this sugar and form acid. The acid affects the outer layer of the tooth, known as tooth enamel. Fluoride is a natural cavity fighter, gives teeth strength, and nourishes the tooth enamel.

Is Fluoride Safe for Your Child?

Many parents doubt whether fluoride treatment for kids is safe or not. It’s safe, provided that the child takes the correct dose. The correct dosage of fluoride for children is usually 0.23 mg per day under three years of age. In the US, people have been using fluoridated water for around 75 years. Many healthcare organizations, including WHO (World Health Organization), have endorsed drinking fluoridated water for better health of teeth and gums.

Benefits of Fluoride Varnish

There are many oral health care benefits of using fluoride varnish. Here we’ll discuss the most important ones.

• Nourishes Tooth Enamel

Fluoride strengthens and nourishes the tooth enamel and stops the demineralization of teeth. Demineralization disrupts the functioning of tooth enamel. In return, there are more chances of developing tooth cavities or decay.

• Protects Primary Teeth

Though permanent teeth replace a baby’s primary teeth, they should occur naturally rather than because of decay. When the baby’s milky teeth are lost prematurely, the permanent teeth can overlap or become crowded. Fluoride treatment protects the primary teeth and prevents premature tooth loss.

• Controls Bacteria

Luckily, fluoride harms the bacteria responsible for tooth decay and helps to control or regulate it. It also minimizes the risk of cavity formation, which might contribute to tooth loss.

• Saves Money

Fluoride varnish is a preventive dental treatment that saves you money in the long run. Regular dental visits can protect your child’s dental health and reduce the risk of developing cavities. Fluoride treatment for kids decreases the need for getting restorative dental procedures.

• Safe Treatment

It is considered a safe treatment with appropriate fluoride and in the correct dosage. There are many sources of fluoride, such as toothpaste, juices, sodas, and drinking water. Ensure that your child uses fluoride as per the recommendation of his dentist.

Common Sources of Fluoride

There are two primary fluoride sources: tap or drinking water and toothpaste. Most toothpaste contains fluoride, and brushing appropriately with such toothpaste can help maintain healthy teeth. Your child must brush his teeth at least twice daily, significantly contributing to good oral health care. However, for infants, you must start with just a smear of fluoride toothpaste. Once your child is up to 3 years, you can use a pea-sized quantity of toothpaste. Another source is drinking or tap water. Many communities today use fluoridated water to ensure people’s oral health care needs.

Concluding Note

Fluoride treatment for kids is safe and effective in reducing cavity formation. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that fluoridated water decreases cavity formation or decay by 25% in kids and adults. Moreover, CDC has listed community water fluoridation in the top 10 public health achievements.

Contact your Stockton dentist for kids, Dr. Sajjad Rizvi, DDS at Happy Kids Dental to learn more about the importance of Fluoride Treatment for Kids.

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Is Fluoride Safe For Kids?

This media/content or any other on this website does not prescribe, recommend, or prevent any treatment or procedure. Therefore, we highly recommend that you get the advice of a qualified dentist or other medical practitioners regarding your specific dental condition.