Peninsula Pediatrics

Category: Dental Health

Fluoride for Your Children’s Oral Health

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There has been conflicting information in the media about fluoride posing health risks, such as reduced intelligence in children and cancer. This will hopefully help clear this up!  You may be concerned about your children drinking regular tap water that contains fluoride. However, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), when fluoride is used at recommended levels, it is a safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay, and it does not pose a detectable risk of cancer or other serious issues, nor is it linked to lower IQ. The recommended amounts of fluoride in drinking water and toothpaste have been extensively studied and are supported by the AAP, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American Dental Association (ADA).

Benefits of Fluoride for Children

Fluoride is a natural mineral found in water and many foods, and it plays a key role in strengthening the tooth enamel, making it more resistant to acid attacks from plaque, bacteria, and sugars in the mouth. It also helps reverse early signs of tooth decay by rebuilding weakened areas of enamel before cavities form. Children who receive the right amount of fluoride are far less likely to develop cavities and may avoid more invasive and costly dental procedures down the road.

Children can get fluoride from drinking from community water systems that add the mineral to the water supply or by using prescribed supplements if fluoridated water is not accessible. Fluoride can also be applied directly to the teeth through toothpaste, mouth rinses, or treatments given at the dentist’s office. The AAP recommends that parents start brushing their baby’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first tooth appears. If your child is under the age of 3, use only a tiny smear of toothpaste that is the size of a grain of rice. Between the ages of 3 and 6, kids can use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. 

Fluoride Varnish Treatments for Children

Your child’s pediatrician or dentist may recommend fluoride varnish treatments based on your child’s risk of tooth decay. Fluoride varnish is safe and effective, as only a small amount is used. It is quick to apply and harden, and can be brushed off after 4-12 hours. Children do not swallow these treatments, nor would they be able to lick the varnish off their teeth. After the fluoride varnish is applied, your child will be able to eat and drink afterwards. But, it’s best to stick to soft foods that are at a moderate temperature or liquids. Avoid brushing or flossing for at least 4-6 hours. 

Routine Dental Check-Ups 

It’s important to keep up with your child’s routine dental check-ups for potential cavities and oral health problems that should be addressed as early as possible. The AAP recommends that all infants have oral health risk assessments by 6 months of age. Babies with a greater risk of early cavities should be referred to a dentist as early as 6 months old and no later than 6 months after the first tooth erupts. If you have any questions about fluoride or concerns about your child’s oral health, please call our office. 

Children’s Dental Health

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February is Children’s Dental Health Month and something to always remember when it comes to your child’s health is that their oral health is important for their overall health. Your child’s dental health begins when they get their first tooth, which typically occurs when they’re between 4 and 7 months old. Once you see their first tooth erupts, you’ll want to start tooth brushing by using a soft-bristled brush that’s specifically designed for babies. Make sure to only use a small smear of toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) until they reach age 3. It is also recommended to use toothpaste that contains fluoride, a natural mineral which strengthens the enamel and helps prevent tooth decay. 

After your child reaches the age of 3, you can start to use a pea-sized amount of fluoride-containing toothpaste. And when your child is able to brush their own teeth, they can begin to use a normal amount. This is usually when they’re about 5 or 6 years old. At this point, you’ll want to make sure that your child is taught the proper techniques of tooth brushing and good oral hygiene practices. Encourage them to brush their teeth twice a day for 2 minutes during each session. Children should brush their teeth thoroughly from top to bottom and inside and out. You might also want to consider using music or a counting game that lasts 2 minutes to make the cleaning routine more fun and easier to stick to. Keep in mind that the back molars are the most common teeth to get cavities so remind your child to brush all the way back into their mouth to reach those areas. It’s recommended for families to supervise children when they’re cleaning their teeth until they’re about 10 years old. 

In addition to brushing the teeth, it’s also essential that your child flosses every day. Flossing removes plaque and food in between teeth where the toothbrush can’t reach. Without flossing, the plaque remains and can harden into tartar, leading to gum disease. For older children with braces or fixed retainers, they will need special types of floss products that are designed to get in between or around braces and retainers. 

Rinsing with mouthwash can help maintain your child’s dental health. However, it is not safe to use mouthwash until the child is 6 or 7 years old. Younger children may accidentally swallow it. Before your child starts using mouthwash, teach them how to rinse properly and warn them that mouthwash is never safe to swallow. It’s also best to buy mouthwash that is alcohol-free.  

Good oral hygiene practices are very crucial to protecting your children’s teeth. But diet is another key contributing factor for children’s dental health. Added sugar in candies, sweets, syrups, and sugary beverages can cause bacteria on your child’s teeth to grow and can lead to tooth decay. You’ll want to limit their consumption of added sugar and have them brush their teeth soon after consuming any of these items. The longer the residue stays in their mouth, the more damage it can cause. It is also important that your child maintains a well-balanced diet with plenty of calcium and Vitamin D, both of which are necessary to build strong teeth. 

When your child comes in for a well-check visit, we will always check in on their teeth and gums to make sure they’re healthy. It is also important that your child keeps up with regular dental visits for routine cleaning and checkups. Having your child’s teeth monitored helps ensure that any potential problems like cavities are addressed early before they can worsen. Children should start visiting the dentist by age one. 

Instilling good dental habits in your children can foster long-term dental health success so that your child’s teeth can develop strong and healthy. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s oral health, please contact our office.