What a Pediatric Dentist Wants You to Know About Your Child and Fluoride

There is often some confusion as to what fluoride does. Fluoride is a common element. Children exposed to small amounts of fluoride tend to have fewer cavities. Fluoride mixes with the tooth enamel of growing teeth to strengthen the enamel. It will also help protect teeth from cavities after the enamel has formed by mixing with saliva and coating the teeth.

It is natural to have safety concerns about treatments. Many parents worry about what their children eat and drink. They may have concerns about the amount of fluoride exposure for their child. Some municipalities have fluoridated water. The amount of fluoride in treated water is very small. Dentists recommend fluoride toothpaste for children even if the local water has fluoride.

Even though baby teeth fall out, dentists want parents to know how important these teeth are. Cavities and tooth decay in baby teeth can cause a lot of pain for children. Protecting baby teeth promotes better oral health now and in the future. Permanent teeth are more likely to grow in properly. Losing baby teeth to dental decay can cause problems with chewing and eating.