Fluoride

Fluoride plays a significant role in pediatric dentistry due to its proven benefits in improving oral health. It is a natural mineral that strengthens tooth enamel (the outer coating on teeth) and helps prevent tooth decay, which is particularly important for children whose teeth are still developing.

Here’s how fluoride works:

1. Remineralization: When your child’s teeth demineralize, they lose calcium and phosphate under the acid attack after you eat or drink. Fluoride helps your child’s teeth to remineralize by replacing lost calcium and phosphate, thereby strengthening your child’s teeth and making them more resistant to future acid attacks.

2. Preventing Tooth Decay: Fluoride can help prevent cavities by making your child’s teeth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth.

3. Disrupting Acid Production: Fluoride inhibits the ability of plaque bacteria to produce acid, further protecting your child’s teeth from damage.

Fluoride can be obtained in two forms:

1. Topical Fluoride: This is applied directly to the tooth enamel via fluoridated toothpaste and mouth rinses, and during professional dental treatments. Topical fluoride is important for children as it provides ‘on-the-spot’ protection for teeth.

2. Systemic Fluoride: This is swallowed and becomes part of developing bone and emerging teeth. Children may receive systemic fluoride from a water supply that is fluoridated, from supplements in tablet or drop form, or from some foods.

In pediatric dentistry, fluoride treatments might be recommended every six months, or more frequently if your child is at high risk of tooth decay. However, while fluoride is beneficial, it’s important to use it safely. Too much fluoride before the age of eight can cause dental fluorosis, a condition that results in white spots on the teeth due to damage to developing dental enamel.