Kid's Teeth and Flouride

Pediatric dental disease is so rampant that it is now considered the #1 chronic childhood illness. It is five times more common than asthma in children and seven times more common than hay fever. Children who don’t get treatment for childhood tooth decay are also more susceptible to malnourishment and bacterial infections.
Since 1850, dental professionals have studied how the use of fluoride can help prevent tooth decay in children by making teeth more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria in the mouth. It has also been shown to reverse decay in its earliest stages. Fluoride also helps with the remineralization process as well as disrupts acid production in existing teeth of both children and adults.
When Is Fluoride Needed?

• Kids between the ages of 6 months to 16 years can benefit from the use of fluoride, either in a toothpaste or by some other means, such as dental sealants. Especially with younger kids, it’s important to carefully monitor their use of fluoride-containing products. Fluoride is safe and effective when used properly, but can be hazardous at high doses. Here are some other useful reminders about fluoride:
• Store fluoride supplements away from young children.
• Avoid flavored toothpastes because these tend to encourage toothpaste to be swallowed.
• Use only a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste on a child’s toothbrush.
• Be cautious about using fluoridated toothpaste in children younger than age 6. Children younger than 6 years of age are more likely to swallow toothpaste instead of spitting it out.

Another source of fluoride to which most residents of Arizona have access is the public water supply. In 2012, roughly 58 percent of Arizona had public water systems that were fluoridated, which includes the vast majority of the greater Phoenix area. The American Dental Association affirms that the use of optimal amounts of fluoride in water systems helps prevent cavities in children and adults.
Childhood is a crucial time for oral health concerns, and your child’s first visit to the dentist should occur by age one. If you have concerns about the safe use of fluoride to help protect your child’s teeth, talk to your child’s dentist.