All About Flouride
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Most of us know that fluoride prevents cavities, but did you know it can even repair and reverse tooth decay? Fluoride protects our teeth by preventing mineral loss in tooth enamel and by decreasing the ability of bacteria to produce acid that can damage teeth. The most common sources of fluoride are in tap water and toothpastes. When your baby is about a year old, schedule a check-up with a pediatric dentist who will examine their teeth and apply fluoride varnish. Varnish is painted on each tooth and is used to help prevent tooth decay. Applying fluoride varnish is safe and does not hurt.
How much toothpaste do you need to put on your child’s toothbrush?
- Children under 3 years old: use a grain of rice sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
- Children 3–6 years old: use a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
While fluoride is important for strengthening enamel and preventing cavities, too much can have side effects. If the accumulation of fluoride, between water, diet and toothpaste, is too high, children can develop white stains on their teeth called fluorosis. Therefore, make sure to avoid flavored toothpastes your child may swallow and check to be sure your water contains 0.7 mg/L or less. Home testing kits can be found online.