We all want the best for our kids, right? You want them to go to the best schools, eat the best food, and visit the best doctors. Their dental health should be no different. Your trusted pediatric dentist in Irving makes sure your child’s growing teeth are healthy and strong by using fluoride. But what is fluoride and why is it so important for your kid’s teeth? Read more to find out about a key difference maker in your son or daughter’s oral health.
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a very common natural mineral that is paramount for tooth development and prevention of tooth decay. This magical mineral can be found in soil, most tap water, and some foods. It is also synthetically produced to put in drinking water, mouthwash, toothpaste, and other dental products. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, especially in children with growing teeth.
How Can Fluoride Benefit My Children?
Fluoride strengthens and protects everyone’s teeth, but it is most important for your children as their teeth are still growing and developing.
Your son or daughter’s teeth are constantly under attack by acids from food and drinks, as well as bacteria that lives in their mouths. When fluoride is used it becomes part of the tooth enamel—making it harder and more resistant to these acids. It also can even repair and reverse small cavities that are beginning to form. This is imperative to children with teeth that are still developing because their enamel is not at full strength, which is why acid and bacteria are more likely to cause problems like cavities.
How Can My Children Receive Fluoride?
There are many ways your kids can consume fluoride to strengthen their teeth, but some are more effective than others:
- Topical fluorides: This is when fluoride is applied directly to the tooth enamel. Topicals containing fluoride like toothpaste and child-safe mouthwash are examples of ways your kids can utilize this strengthening mineral themselves.
- Systematic fluorides: Fluoridated water and supplements are ways of systematically consuming this tooth-strengthening agent.
- Professional fluoride treatment: To get the strongest fluoride treatment for your loved ones, you must schedule an appointment with your children’s dentist in Irving. The treatment will only take a few minutes and can come in the form of gel, foam, solution or varnish that is brushed on the teeth or placed in a tray that is held in their mouth. Typically, your child should not eat or drink anything for 30 minutes after the treatment.
The best way of reducing tooth decay at home for your children is to make sure they are consuming fluoride both topically and systematically.
Talk to your dentist about the recommended frequency of fluoride treatments as well as the different ways you can provide it for your kids at home. Your child’s oral health and rate of tooth decay will be factors in how often they should receive fluoride treatment.
About The Practice
Rio Dental & Orthodontics has 7 doctors on hand. Both Dr. Russell Choy and Dr. Bhaumik are board certified pediatric dentists. They keep one goal in mind every day: to prevent oral health problems for your son or daughter instead of treating them after the fact. They want your child’s teeth to be as healthy and as strong as possible which is why they use fluoride in their offices. The dentists can be contacted by phone at (972) 793-0735 for any questions or comments you may have.
