Fluoride helps prevent teeth from decay and can be found in toothpastes and mouth rinse and can help your child’s teeth to feel stronger. You may have questions about if it is safe and the right choice for your child. Pediatric dentists can help answer your concerns and questions about your child’s oral health, but here is some more information about using fluoride for children.
Do Children Really Need Fluoride?
The short answer is yes. The time to start using rinses and toothpaste can vary though. Because of the preventative nature, children can really benefit from the use at an early age.
Some communities have also added fluoride to tap water to help fight cavities in the community. Children should drink plenty of water and use good brushing habits with toothpaste that has fluoride in it.
When Should My Child Start Using Fluoride Toothpaste?
Once your child gets their first tooth you should switch to a toothbrush and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste. Using a small amount of toothpaste, smaller than a grain of rice, helps keep your child from swallowing too much. Good oral hygiene is important to start early, so if you feel that the best option is to start your child on fluoride toothpaste, start slow and talk to your doctor about concerns.
How Old Should My Child Be?
Children develop the ability to spit around the age of 3. This means that fluoride mouthwash can be used around this age. If you want to use it for your children before this age, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste for children ages 3-6.
These ages should also include supervised brushing to make sure that children use the right amount of toothpaste and brush correctly.
Are There Alternatives To Fluoride Toothpaste?
If you have concerns, there are fluoride-free toothpastes available. These toothpastes help to clean teeth but do not have protective properties to prevent tooth decay. If you go this option make sure you or your child brush often and follow up with regular dental cleanings.
It is also important when shopping for toothpastes, to look for the American Dental Association’s seal of approval.
Working With Our Office
At Mountain View Pediatric Dentistry we work with children 12 months and older. We can help make recommendations for your infant and make sure that their oral health is progressing nicely. Taking your child to regular dental appointments where dentists can provide a fluoride as a varnish to your child’s teeth can help. This sets up immediately so that they can go back to eating and drinking normally.
Getting your child accustomed to going to the dentist and having normal check ups with our team can set good habits and help them be comfortable with dental treatment.
Our team works hard to provide safe and comfortable treatment for your child. Visiting us should not be a burden and we want your children’s oral health to be the best it can be from the very beginning.
