Fluoride

In addition to a healthy diet, regular brushing and flossing, and regular check-ups, your child’s teeth benefit from fluoride and other fortifying agents. Here is an overview for you:

Fluoride: 

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the most beneficial and inexpensive method of reducing dental caries is the adjustment of the fluoride level in community water supplies. Fluoride is an important part of the crystalline structure of tooth enamel and it makes teeth less soluble to decay acids. The enamel can incorporate fluoride at varying stages of tooth development, meaning that systemic and topical fluoride can be beneficial to the teeth.

Fluoride in Drinking Water: Some local water supply systems provide tap water that is naturally high in fluoride. However, if you have a home filter that creates reverse osmosis, this fluoride will be removed by the filtering process. In other local areas, it is necessary to purchase bottled fluoridated water. All major suppliers have fluoridated water for home delivery. Bottled water with fluoride are usually available at most markets. The most common brands are Sparkletts with Fluoride (1.0 mg/L), Dannon Fluoride to Go (1.0 mg/L) and Gerber Baby Water (0.5 mg/L)

Fluoridated water can be used for drinking and cooking. Frequency of intake is more important than the amount of water consumed. Ideal fluoride content is 0.8 to 1.0mg/L of fluoride, except for water used to reconstitute powdered baby formula, which should not have fluoride content greater than 0.5mg/L

Toothpaste: Use a toothpaste that is approved by the American Dental Association. Do not start fluoridated toothpaste use until the child is two years of age because the fluoride concentration is high and very young children can swallow it. An amount of toothpaste the size of a half-pea is sufficient for small children.

Fluoride Rinse: When your child has learned to expectorate (spit out) properly, add a fluoride rinse to the oral hygiene plan. It is important that your child be able to spit out the rinse because swallowing it would cause ingestion of high levels of fluoride.

Professional Fluoride Treatments: Higher concentrations of fluoride are available for professional use at the dental office. The newest type comes in a varnish form and will stick to your child’s teeth for several hours, providing more benefit to the enamel.  Fluoride applications are part of a comprehensive prevention program for your child

Supplements:  Before your child is placed on fluoride supplements, your dentist must make a careful evaluation of all sources of fluoride, your child’s risk for cavities and the frequency of dental visits. If fluoride levels are too low, the benefits are reduced. If fluoride levels are too high, there will be a risk of fluorosis (a chalky white or brown discoloration of the permanent teeth). Many children often get more fluoride than their parents realize. Thus, being aware of a child’s potential sources of fluoride can help parents prevent the possibility of fluorosis.

Other fortifying agents: Parents may ask about other agents, besides fluoride, that strengthen the child’s tooth enamel and stop the development of caries (cavities).

Here are three such agents:

• Xylitol: A sugar alcohol used as a sweetener in produces aimed to improve oral health. This agent reduces plaque formation and is antimicrobial. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recognizes the benefits of xylitol on the oral  health of infants, children, adolescents, and persons with special health care needs. Xylitol is available in toothpastes, chewing gum, mints and oral baby wipes (Spiffies™) The wipes can be used to cleanse babies’ mouths after feeding to establish an oral hygiene routine.
• Cpp-ACP (casein phosphopeptide and amorphous calcium phosphate) in MI paste™. This is a milk protein that allows calcium and phosphate to be available in the mouth. This agent allows the tooth surfaces to use these substances to chemically repair surface damage of the enamel. The product is flavored and very simple to apply.
• Chlorhexidene Antibacterial Rinse: This agent reduces cavity-causing bacteria in plaque and controls bacteria that causes gum disease or gingivitis and periodontitis (gum diseases).