Does My Child Need Fluoride?

Almost half of children in the United States experience tooth decay (cavities). Fluoride has been shown to help reduce cavities in children and adults, but does your child actually need it? Fluoride is one of the most studied ways to help prevent cavities, but factors like age, diet, and even your local water supply all play a role in which fluoride treatments are best.

Schedule a family dental appointment with the specialists at SuperTooth™, with offices in Bethesda, Gaithersburg, and Germantown, Maryland, to learn more about fluoride treatments and whether your child is a candidate for them. 

Oral health benefits of fluoride

The following are the benefits of fluoride for dental health:

• Fewer cavities
• Lower risk of cavity-related tooth pain
• Reduced risk of gum disease
• Stronger teeth
• Lower risk of dental emergencies
• Reduced mouth bacteria
• Reversed early tooth decay
• Dental cost savings

Fluoride has been extensively studied for its many benefits for children’s teeth and their overall dental health. 

Types of fluoride used for dental health

Sources of fluoride include those you can ingest, products you apply to teeth during at-home cleanings, and professional fluoride treatments at your dentist’s office. 

Common forms of fluoridated dental products include fluoride toothpaste and fluoridated mouthwash. Some water supplies and foods or drinks containing fluoridated water are sources of fluoride in a child’s diet.

Fluoride is also available in liquid or tablet form with a healthcare provider’s prescription. Forms of fluoride your dentist can apply to your child’s teeth include foams, gels, and varnishes.

Does my child need fluoride?

Infants and children aged 6 months to 16 years need the right amount of fluoride for developing teeth and teeth that have already erupted. But the American Dental Association (ADA) suggests watching the amount of fluoride babies and young children ingest, as too much can cause fluorosis (white streaks appearing on tooth enamel).

For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages parents to closely monitor young children under 6 years old who use fluoridated toothpaste or mouth rinse to ensure they don’t swallow large amounts of fluoride. 

Kids younger than 6 should not use fluoride mouthwash unless directed to by a dentist, and babies 6 months and younger shouldn’t be given supplements containing fluoride. 

Which forms of fluoride are best for my child?

The specific amount and type of fluoride your child needs to maintain healthy teeth depends on a variety of factors, including their age, whether they can spit out toothpaste, whether or not they drink fluoridated water, and the condition of their teeth.

SuperTooth offers a variety of in-office fluoride treatments. Your dentist discusses which type is best, how often your child would benefit from fluoride treatment, and which products you can safely use at home with your child between professional teeth cleanings. 

See our experts for a personalized plan by scheduling a holistic dental appointment for you and your family at SuperTooth. Contact us today by phone or book an appointment online.