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You brush your child’s teeth twice a day, help them floss, and take them to regular dental checkups and cleanings. These are really important and healthy dental habits! One more preventative step can help keep your child healthy and cavity-free. In addition to brushing and flossing at home and regularly visiting the dentist for special cleanings, we recommend fluoride treatments for kids.
What is fluoride?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is commonly found in tap water and is an important agent in keeping teeth strong and protected. It is important that kids get the right amount of fluoride, not too little and not too much. The amount of fluoride a kid needs can change over time. Talk to your child’s dentist to find out what toothpastes and fluoride treatments are ideal for your child.
What is a fluoride treatment for kids?
Fluoride treatments are a proven way to prevent tooth decay. During a fluoride treatment for kids, the dentist paints fluoride onto the teeth as a varnish, a concentrated, highly protective, and long-lasting coating. With a brush, the fluoride is painted onto the teeth enamel that needs the most protection. The whole process only takes a few minutes, and it is completely painless. When saliva touches the varnish, the varnish hardens so that your child will not be able to swallow the fluoride or lick the fluoride off their teeth. After getting the fluoride varnish, kids should follow the recommended guidelines for eating, drinking, and brushing their teeth.
Should kids get a fluoride treatment?
At your child’s first dental visit, which should be when the first tooth appears or by their first birthday, the dentist will talk to you about fluoride and recommend when your child needs to begin fluoride treatments. Kids should get a fluoride treatment because fluoride is important for developing teeth. In general, the recommendation is that kids get a fluoride treatment at their regular dental cleanings that happen twice per year.
How does a fluoride treatment work?
When kids eat and drink, the bacteria in the mouth release acids that break down the protective layer of teeth, known as enamel. When enamel erodes, tooth decay and cavities can occur. Fluoride makes the enamel stronger, reverses early tooth decay, and protects the enamel from acid in the mouth.
In young children who have baby teeth, fluoride gets into their developing permanent teeth and makes them strong too. When adult teeth appear, they are less likely to get cavities. For both kids and adults, fluoride helps prevent cavities by stopping acid production and remineralizing teeth.
Benefits of a Fluoride Treatment for Kids
Fluoride Makes Teeth Strong
The protective layer of the teeth, known as enamel, can be worn away by rough brushing and acid in the mouth. Fluoride makes the enamel stronger so that teeth can resist acid in the mouth and other forms of stress. Fluoride also helps teeth absorb important minerals that make teeth strong. If your child has any tooth decay, fluoride can slow it down or stop it from getting worse.
Fluoride Decreases Cavities
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drinking tap water with fluoride helps keep teeth strong and reduces cavities by about 25% in both children and adults. If your water supply does not have the right amount of fluoride needed to help prevent cavities, your dentist can make fluoride treatment recommendations for your child.
Fluoride is Good for Baby and Adult Teeth
For children under six who still have baby teeth, fluoride treatments are beneficial because they make the growing permanent teeth stronger. Kids who have fluoride treatments when they are young grow up to have teeth that are less sensitive and less likely to decay.
Fluoride Treatments Save Money for Families
Fluoride treatments make teeth strong and healthy. Kids who have strong and healthy teeth do not usually need additional treatments to fix cavities, tooth decay, or other oral health issues. Additional treatments can be expensive and uncomfortable. Fluoride treatments protect teeth and save families money on expensive, preventable dental issues.
Where to Get Fluoride Treatments for Kids
We are leaders in providing high-quality and compassionate dental, orthodontic, and vision services. Help your kids thrive with regular dental checkups and fluoride treatments. Visit our Dental Services page to learn more about dental care for children, and book an appointment at a convenient location near you.
California
Kids & Teen Dental Place – Glendale, Huntington Park, Los Angeles, Van Nuys
Colorado
Adventure – Aurora, Denver, Commerce City, Greeley, Lakewood, Longmont
Academy Kids – Colorado Springs, Pueblo
Kansas
Adventure – Kansas City, Topeka, Wichita
Maryland
Adventure – Baltimore, Essex, Landover Hills
New Mexico
Adventure – Albuquerque, Santa Fe
Oklahoma
Adventure – Midwest City
Pediatric Dental Group – Tulsa
Washington DC
Adventure – DC, Landover Hills