When to Start Using Fluoride Toothpaste for Your Child’s Teeth

Should Children Use Fluoride Toothpaste?

Fluoride toothpaste has been available for consumers since the 1950s. But, why is it so essential for the fight against tooth decay? And should children use fluoride toothpaste?

According to the American Dental Association,  children under the age of 3 years, should have their teeth brushed with a grain-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste twice a day. Then, from ages 3-6, a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste is recommended. Children’s tooth brushing should always be supervised to make sure that they use the appropriate amount of toothpaste. Too much fluoride in the system can lead to problems. (We will discuss this more later in this article).

Why Should You Use Fluoride Toothpaste?

While it is true that all toothpaste helps remove plaque, fluoride toothpaste offers an extra benefit in preventing tooth decay. That is to say, it fights a stronger fight because it actually works to make tooth enamel stronger.

When it comes to keeping bacteria away, our tooth enamel needs all the help it can get.  Developing teeth need even more of a boost. Early childhood tooth decay and start a domino effect of oral health issues.  Parents that incorporate the power of fluoride with their children’s oral healthcare get them on a oral health path for success.

What Exactly Is Fluoride?

Above all, fluoride is a mineral, found naturally occurring in our earth.  It is nature’s secret cavity fighter.  As such, it is found in water sources such as rivers, lakes and even the oceans.

Fluoride can even be found in certain foods and beverages.  Fluoride is commonly added to some dental products such as toothpaste to fight cavities.

Even before teeth break through the gums (erupt), the fluoride taken in from foods, drinks and supplements strengthens the tooth enamel helping it resist tooth decay.

Then, after teeth erupt, fluoride can rebuild weakened tooth enamel and reverses early signs of tooth decay.  So, when brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste,  the fluoride is impacts all surface of your teeth.

How Do You Know if Toothpaste is Fluoridated?

Dental products that contain fluoride, including flouride toothpaste, are required by the FDA to clearly label regarding ingredients, directions for use, and warnings.  While fluoride products are safe and effective, children under the age of 6 should not use a fluoride mouth rinse unless directed to do so by a dentist.  Likewise, children younger than 3 should only use a tiny, rice-size smear of fluoride toothpaste since they are not able to spit out toothpaste as well as older children.  Too much fluoride can have damaging effects.

What is Dental Fluorosis?

According to the CDC, dental fluorosis is a condition that causes outward changes to the tooth enamel.  Too much fluoride consumed during the teeth-forming years, age 8 and younger, can cause dental fluorosis.  Most dental fluorosis in the U.S. is very mild and will show as white spots on the tooth surface . Consequently, most of these spots are barely noticeable and do not affect dental function. However, moderate and severe forms of dental fluorosis, a less common result, cause more extensive enamel changes. In fact, in extremely rare cases, severe cases, pits may form in the teeth. This severe form is avoided in communities where the level of fluoride in water is less than 2 milligrams per liter.

Fluoride treatments support patient goals in the fight against tooth decay.  To learn more about our treatments or to schedule an appointment, call our office today at 813-576-0200!