Fluoride
Fluoride is a naturally occurring element, which has turned out to be the most effective means of preventing tooth decay, especially in young children. When children ingest drinking water to which a regulated amount of fluoride has been added, the fluoride is incorporated into the structure of developing teeth giving them long term resistance to decay. Children that live in a non-fluoridated water area should receive a fluoride vitamin supplement to make sure they are protected as well.
In addition your child should receive a fluoride treatment at each 6-month dental visit and use fluoridated toothpaste, approved by the Medical Dental Association at home. Young children should be brushing and flossing their teeth with the help and supervision of a parent.
Caution: Under no circumstances should a child be drinking water with fluoride and receiving a fluoride vitamin supplement at the same time. Too much of a good thing is not good.
What are the benefits of fluoride?Fluoride can greatly help dental health by strengthening the tooth enamel, making it more resistant to tooth decay. It also reduces the amount of acid that the bacteria on your teeth produce. Children who have fluoride when their teeth are developing tend to have shallower grooves in their teeth so plaque can be more easily removed. Plaque is a thin, sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth. The addition of fluoride to water has been researched for over 50 years and water fluoridation has been proven to reduce decay by 40-60%.
Where can I find fluoride?
Fluoride is found naturally in many foods and water supplies, and is also added to some drinking water supplies. One part of fluoride for every million parts of water (1 ppm) has bee shown to have the best effect. All water contains some fluoride. Your local water supplier can tell you the level of fluoride in your drinking water.
Fluoride is also naturally present in foods and drinks such as fish and tea, and some countries add fluoride to their table salt and milk instead of fluoridating the water supplies. One cup of tea can contain between 0.3mg and 0.5mg of fluoride, and if you drink it with milk your teeth will also benefit from the calcium. It is best to drink tea without sugar to reduce the risk of dental decay further.
What about fluoride toothpaste?
Most toothpastes now contain fluoride, and most people get their fluoride this way. Fluoride toothpaste is very effective in preventing tooth decay. The amount of fluoride in toothpaste is usually enough to lessen the level of decay. In areas where the water supply is fluoridated, fluoride toothpaste gives extra protection. All children up to three years old, should use a toothpaste with a fluoride level of at least 1000ppm (parts per million). After three years old, they should use a toothpaste that contains 1350ppm-1500ppm. Parents should supervise their children's tooth brushing, and use only a pea-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste until they are about 7 years old.
Should people have extra fluoride?
Children living in poorer areas where the water supplies are not fluoridated can have 5 times more decay than children living in better-off or fluoridated areas. Research suggests that adding fluoride to the water is the best way of reducing these ‘dental inequalities'.
Excel Dent dentists can apply fluoride to your child's teeth. These come as gels and are more concentrated than self-applied fluorides, and therefore are not needed as often. Some adults can also benefit from these application. Fluoride gels can help to reduce root decay - especially in people with dry mouth. Some people are more prone to tooth decay and the dentist may also advise using fluoride supplements as well as fluoride toothpaste for extra protection. It is very important that fluoride supplements are only taken on the advice of a dentist, and that they are used in the way they say. Supplements are suitable for children from about 3 onwards and can help reduce decay.
What are the side effects?
Dental fluorosis is caused by having too much fluoride when the teeth are developing. This can happen when fluoride supplements are taken by children under 7 who live in areas where the water supply is fluoridated. It can also happen when children swallow toothpaste.
What is fluorosis?
In its mildest form, dental fluorosis appears as very fine pearly white lines or flecking on the surface of the teeth. This mild fluorosis can often only be spotted by a dental expert. Severe fluorosis may lead to the enamel being pitted and discoloured. Fortunately, severe fluorosis is rare in the European Union.
Is fluoride safe?
Many reports have been published throughout the world about the pros and cons of fluoride. After many years the scientific conclusion is that fluoride toothpaste and correctly fluoridated water, salt and milk are of great benefit to dental health and help to reduce decay, and cause no harmful side effects to general health. Opponents of fluoridation claim they have firm evidence that fluoride added to water is harmful. However, scientific analysis has not supported their claims. Worldwide, over 300 million people drink fluoridated water supplies. Many millions more regularly use fluoridated toothpaste. In America for example, well over half of the population have fluoridated water supplies. This has led to improved levels of dental health which in turn benefits general health.
How do we prevent fluorosis?
Fluoride is an element, which has been shown to be beneficial to teeth. However, too little or too much fluoride can be detrimental to the teeth. Little or no fluoride will not strengthen the teeth to help them resist cavities. Excessive fluoride ingestion by preschool-aged children can lead to dental fluorosis, which is a chalky white to even brown discoloration of the permanent teeth. Many children often get more fluoride than their parents realize. Being aware of a child's potential sources of fluoride can help parents prevent the possibility of dental fluorosis.
Some of these sources are:
Too much fluoridated toothpaste at an early age.
The inappropriate use of fluoride supplements.
Hidden sources of fluoride in the child's diet.
Two and three year olds may not be able to expectorate (spit out) fluoride-containing toothpaste when brushing. As a result, these youngsters may ingest an excessive amount of fluoride during tooth brushing. Toothpaste ingestion during this critical period of permanent tooth development is the greatest risk factor in the development of fluorosis.
Excessive and inappropriate intake of fluoride supplements may also contribute to fluorosis. Fluoride drops and tablets, as well as fluoride fortified vitamins should not be given to infants younger than six months of age. After that time, fluoride supplements should only be given to children after all of the sources of ingested fluoride have been accounted for and upon the recommendation of your pediatrician or pediatric dentist.
Certain foods contain high levels of fluoride, especially powdered concentrate infant formula, soy-based infant formula, infant dry cereals, creamed spinach, and infant chicken products. Please read the label or contact the manufacturer. Some beverages also contain high levels of fluoride, especially decaffeinated teas, white grape juices, and juice drinks manufactured in fluoridated cities.
Parents can take the following steps to decrease the risk of fluorosis in their children's teeth:
Use baby tooth cleanser on the toothbrush of the very young child.
Place only a pea sized drop of children's toothpaste on the brush when brushing.
Account for all of the sources of ingested fluoride before requesting fluoride supplements from your child's physician or pediatric dentist.
Avoid giving any fluoride-containing supplements to infants until they are at least 6 months old.
Obtain fluoride level test results for your drinking water before giving fluoride supplements to your child (check with local water utilities).
Please call our office if you have any questions or concerns.