Fluoride For Pediatric Patients

Encouraging your child to brush their teeth twice a day, helping them floss, and taking them for regular dental checkups and cleanings are all crucial steps in maintaining a healthy and cavity-free smile. However, another preventive measure recommended by our pediatric dentists at Gen Z Dentistry is fluoride treatments for kids. These treatments provide additional protection for your child's teeth, helping to strengthen enamel and prevent decay.

What is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found in various sources such as rocks, plants, oceans, and groundwater. Due to its proven ability to prevent tooth decay, fluoride is often added to community water sources and dental products. When consumed or applied to teeth, fluoride helps to strengthen enamel, making it more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria in the mouth. This mineral plays a vital role in maintaining good oral health by reducing the risk of cavities and promoting overall dental wellness.

How Fluoride Works

Fluoride plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health by strengthening the enamel of teeth, which is the protective outer layer. When we eat or drink, the bacteria in our mouths feed on sugars and starches, producing acids that can erode this enamel. This process, known as demineralization, can lead to tooth decay or cavities.

By penetrating the enamel, fluoride makes it stronger and more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria. Additionally, fluoride can even reverse the very early stages of tooth decay. It promotes remineralization, which is the process of redepositing minerals back into the enamel after they have been stripped away by acids.

For younger children with baby teeth, fluoride is applied to the developing permanent teeth. This incorporation helps to strengthen the permanent teeth as they erupt, making them less susceptible to cavities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drinking fluoridated water can decrease cavities by approximately 25% in both children and adults. The CDC has recognized community water fluoridation as one of the top 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century due to its effectiveness in preventing tooth decay.

Is Fluoride Safe?

Fluoride is entirely safe for children when used in the appropriate amount. In the United States, people have been drinking fluoridated water for 75 years, and it has received endorsements from numerous health organizations, including the American Dental Association and the World Health Organization.

While excessive fluoride intake during early childhood can lead to fluorosis, a condition that may cause white spots or pitting on the enamel, most cases of fluorosis are very mild. If you have concerns about your child's fluoride intake, our pediatric dentists at Gen Z Dentistry are here to help. We can provide guidance on the correct amount of fluoride to ensure your child's teeth remain strong and healthy. Your child's oral health is our priority, and we are here to address any questions or concerns you may have regarding fluoride and its safety for kids.

Fluoride Treatment Process

A fluoride treatment involves the application of topical fluoride to the teeth, and at Gen Z Dentistry in Glendale, NY, we often use a varnish for this purpose. This varnish is a quick and effective method to provide fluoride to your child's teeth. After your child's dental cleaning, we simply paint the varnish onto their teeth. The process is painless and takes only a few minutes.

Using a varnish has several advantages. It is well-tolerated by children, including younger kids, as the varnish hardens upon contact with saliva. This means that your child won't swallow it or be able to lick it off, ensuring the fluoride treatment remains effective.

Regarding eating after a fluoride treatment, we recommend waiting about a half-hour before allowing your child to eat or drink. This gives the fluoride varnish enough time to fully adhere to the teeth. Additionally, we suggest waiting at least four to six hours before brushing your child's teeth to allow the fluoride to have maximum effect.

Other Sources of Fluoride

There are several sources of fluoride for children, including tap water, toothpaste, mouthwash, and fluoride supplements if needed. Tap water is a significant source of fluoride, as it is often fluoridated to promote dental health. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends using a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste, approximately the size of a grain of rice, as soon as a baby's first tooth erupts. This amount should be increased to a pea-sized amount between the ages of 3 and 6.

In cases where children drink bottled water without fluoride or if the community's tap water is not fluoridated, it's important to discuss this with your child's pediatrician or dentist. They can assess your child's fluoride intake and may prescribe fluoride drops or supplements if necessary to ensure adequate fluoride exposure.

Despite these sources, many children still do not receive enough fluoride, putting them at risk for tooth decay from a young age. This is why a fluoride treatment at the dentist is often necessary. A professional fluoride treatment provides a more concentrated dose of fluoride compared to toothpaste, maximizing its benefits in strengthening the enamel and preventing tooth decay. It serves as an additional layer of protection for your child's dental health, especially in cases where fluoride intake from other sources may be insufficient.

Frequency of Fluoride Treatments

We typically recommend that children receive a fluoride treatment twice a year unless they have a particularly high risk for tooth decay. These treatments are essential for maintaining strong and healthy teeth.

For your child's first dental visit, which we advise scheduling at age one, we will discuss your child's fluoride intake and assess when it would be beneficial to begin fluoride treatments. These treatments should be continued until at least the age of 16 to ensure optimal dental health.

Now that you understand the importance of fluoride treatments for kids and how they work, the next step is to visit a pediatric dentist. If you're interested in finding out if your child could benefit from fluoride treatments in Glendale, NY, we invite you to schedule an appointment at Gen Z Dentistry today! Our team of experienced pediatric dentists is dedicated to providing gentle and effective care for your child's dental needs.