Teaching your child the best dental practices early on in life can save them from making numerous trips to the dentist later in life. A Dental Choice dentist can provide exceptional general children’s dental services and can also help your child become comfortable with good dental hygiene.
Children & Fluoride
What is fluoride and what does it do?
Fluoride, a substance found in many water sources, helps to prevent tooth decay. It can even catch and reverse tooth decay during its early stages by incorporating into the developing teeth’s structure, as well as protecting the surface of the teeth.
Do children need fluoride?
Fluoride for children is particularly important, as tooth decay remains one of the most common childhood diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about a fifth of 5- to 11-year-olds and one in seven 12- to 19-year-olds have one or more decayed teeth. The vast benefits of fluoride for kids include protected enamel and reduced risk of tooth decay, making fluoride a crucial part of preventive oral health care.
How much fluoride do kids actually need?
Generally, children under the age of 6 months old don’t need fluoride supplements. After your child reaches 6 months of age, it’s time to discuss the topic with your paediatrician. That said, we do not recommend using fluoridated toothpaste until your child is old enough to spit it out after brushing. Swallowing too much toothpaste at an early age can lead to fluorosis.
Fluorosis is a cosmetic dental condition caused by fluoride overexposure during a child’s developmental years. The effects of fluorosis can range from mild discoloration of the teeth to dark stains and surface irregularities.
After the age of 3, children who are able to spit, can use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste when brushing their teeth. At this age, it’s still a good idea for parents to help young children brush their teeth to make sure they’re not swallowing fluoridated toothpaste.
From the age of 6 years old and up, children at heightened risk of tooth decay may benefit from using mouth rinses containing fluoride.
If your water supply doesn’t contain fluoridated water, your dentist may recommend administering supplements to make sure your child is consuming the optimal amount for enamel protection. Supplements typically come in the form of tablets, pastes, topical gels or mouth rinses.
What are some sources of fluoride?
Fortunately, kids have plenty of opportunities to get a healthy dose of fluoride every day. Fluoride for children commonly comes from one or more of these sources:
- Fluoridated water: Fluoridated tap water or bottled water is estimated to reduce tooth decay by up to 40%.
- Toothpaste and mouth rinse with fluoride: Fluoridated toothpaste and mouth rinses are very common. Use these with caution to make sure your child doesn’t swallow the substance.
- Topical treatment: Gels and creams containing fluoride are generally recommended for children with a high rate of cavities, or those who are wearing braces or retainers. Topical creams and gels can be applied after brushing and flossing.
- Balanced diet: The importance of a balanced diet can’t be overstated! Vitamin D and calcium offer an extra layer of defence against tooth decay.
For more information or to book an appointment, contact a Dental Choice clinic near you. We’re here to help.
General Children's Dentistry
When should I take my child to the dentist?
Dental Choice dentists recommend taking your child to the dentist before the age of 2. At this age, children are more eager to learn new concepts, and they’ll most likely remember what the dentist tells them. The initial visits are mostly informative, and they seek to help parents establish a proper dental care routine for their children. Bringing your child every 6-12 months for dental exams and dental cleanings, until they are an adult will keep their appointments short and easy.
If my child’s baby teeth have a cavity, won’t they just fall out?
Baby teeth with cavities will eventually fall out, but cavities on baby teeth can be painful and cause infection. They can also lead to premature tooth loss, which can have a negative impact on the alignment of your child’s teeth and the growth of adult teeth. The baby molar teeth are in fact larger than the adult premolar teeth that will eventually replace them, so they help to reserve space in the jaw for the adult teeth to come in.
How can I keep my child’s teeth clean?
Brushing
Brushing of teeth should start even before your baby starts teething, run a clean, damp washcloth over the gums to clear away harmful bacteria. When your baby gets teeth, brush them with an infant toothbrush with a thin layer of toothpaste. Your kids should be able to brush their own teeth by the time they turn six years old. Brushing should be done twice a day using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and a special brush meant for kids. You should supervise the brushing process to ensure that your kid gets it right. This supervision might go on until they are about 8 or 9 years, when they can brush their teeth more efficiently.
Disclosing Tablets
Use disclosing tablets to ensure that your child’s teeth are clean after brushing. Disclosing tablets will display any plaque left on your child’s teeth. They’re easily chewable, ensuring that you won’t have trouble finding plaque.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are coatings made of thin, hard plastic that bond to the chewing surfaces at the back of the teeth. They help prevent cavities and plaque from building up in the grooves of your child’s teeth. Ask your dentist if dental sealants are needed as soon as the first molars appear, which is typically between the ages of six and seven years. At Dental Choice, we can look at your child’s teeth and decide if it’s appropriate to use dental sealants.
Dental Visits
Your child’s first visit to the dentist should be before the age of two. After that, you should take your child to the dentist every six to twelve months depending on your child’s needs and oral hygiene. You should make dental care fun to achieve desirable results. You can attain this by picking a friendlier dentist — someone who easily connects with children.
Our dentists love children and know how to communicate with them to make dentistry a little easier. Another great way to encourage your children is to read children’s books about teeth and going to the dentist before bedtime. Books can make the difference, and this will help your kids lose some apprehension before their first visit.
For more information or to book an appointment, contact a Dental Choice clinic near you. We’re here to help.