Is Fluoride Safe for Kids?

Fluoride is nature’s cavity fighter which helps prevent tooth decay. It helps kids develop stronger teeth by reducing the harmful effects of plaque. It also protects the tooth enamel by giving it strength and creates a powerful defense system against cavity formation. Though fluoride is safe for kids, parents need to be cautious in supervising their children about the prescribed uses of fluoride. Too much fluoride might cause dental fluorosis, which causes changes in the appearance of tooth enamel. Do you want to know more about fluoride usage to facilitate your kids’ dental health? Then, let’s discuss how much fluoride is safe to use among kids and some valuable points.

How much fluoride is safe for kids?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) advises that kids between 6 months must take some form of fluoride to 16 years. It helps prevent cavities and the formation of tiny holes in the kids’ teeth. It is good for their oral health and helps reduce the amount of acid in the mouth, which can otherwise cause tooth decay. The recommended dosage of fluoride is about .23mg per day for kids above three years of age. However, it can vary as per the child’s dental health.

AADP further states that sometimes a child’s daily requirement is usually met by fluoridated water. Community water fluoridation reduces tooth decay by 25% and is completely safe to be used with children. However, suppose you do not have fluoridated water in your community. In that case, it is best to get fluoridated supplements for your child. Get help from your nearest dentist to get the right supplement for your child.

Why do children need fluoride?

Fluoride is a natural mineral used in many dental products to facilitate oral health. It is also added to the local water to remineralize people’s tooth enamel and save them from potential harm. Children often damage their tooth enamel because of eating inappropriate diets. Sugary foods and soda items easily break down their tooth enamel, becoming more susceptible to cavities. Fluoride is important for children because of the following reasons:

• It reverts the early signs of tooth decay.
• Strengthens the weakened tooth enamel.
• It helps to prevent cavities.
• It slows down the loss of minerals from tooth enamel and acts as a mouth defense system against harmful attacks.

Common sources of fluoride:

• Toothpaste.
• Drinking water in fluoridated communities.
• Mouth rinses.

Fluoride is important for kids, but they never need to swallow it. Otherwise, it will cause dental fluorosis and make it difficult to clean the pitted tooth enamel.

Conclusion:

Fluoride is generally safe and recommended for children, but it is important to use it correctly. Too much fluoride can cause dental fluorosis, resulting in tooth discoloration and bone problems. Therefore, parents need to supervise their children about the right usage of fluoride, which can significantly contribute to improving their oral health.

Contact your Stockton dentist for kids, Dr. Sajjad Rizvi DDS at Happy Kids Dental today to learn more about Fluoride Safe for Kids.

Resource:

Effects Of Fluoride On Oral Health

*This media/content or any other on this website does not prescribe, recommend, or prevent any treatment or procedure. Therefore, we highly recommend that you get the advice of a qualified dentist or other medical practitioners regarding your specific dental condition.