Why Fluoride is Important

Why Fluoride is Important

By Stephanie DeFilippo, DDS

I am fresh off the plane from the annual American Academy of Pediatrics meeting in Seattle, Washington.  The importance of fluoride was one of the take home messages.  Fluoride has become controversial recently and some cities are taking it out of their water supply.  I am not writing this to cause controversy, but to highlight why this mineral is so important to the development of your children’s teeth. 

The ADA calls fluoride “nature’s cavity fighter.”  Fluoride can help support teeth in two different ways.  The first way is systemic.  This means that ingested fluoride can strengthen the enamel of developing teeth before they come through the gums.  The second way is topical.  As teeth erupt, they are suspect to decay and fluoride can help strengthen and “remineralize” the enamel to help reverse tooth decay.

The following is from ada.org: “The ADA, the American Medical Association, the World Health Organization and many others support fluoridation of community water supplies. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has cited community water fluoridation as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.  So, by simply drinking fluoridated water, you are doing something good for your oral health.”

A downside to fluoride is fluorosis.  This is defined as too much fluoride during the development of your children’s teeth, which causes color, changes in permanent teeth.  This is why a trained dental professional should be consulted and a partner in deciding how much fluoride your child should be ingesting.  The fluorosis only affects the color of the teeth and not the health of your child.

Parents should control the amount of fluoride toothpaste used because very little is needed.  With children who are not spitting yet, only a tiny smear of the toothpaste is needed.  As they get older, a pea size is recommended.  Children should be monitored when they are brushing their teeth twice a day (morning and night).  As always, brushing should go hand and hand with flossing.

Fluoride rinses are also helpful if the child is older than the age of six.  Many parents are excited for their child to start using mouth rinses because they think that the rinse will take the place of brushing and flossing.  Rinses are beneficial, but they should not take the place of brushing or flossing.  Fluoride rinses are not recommended if the child is under the age of six because there is a worry that the child may swallow some of the liquid.  If this would happen then it would make it difficult to assess how much fluoride is ingested thus increasing the possibility of fluorosis. 

Fluoride supplements may be needed for a child who lives in a non-fluoridated area.  This decision needs to be made by the child’s dentist after examining the child and assessing their caries risk, along with their dietary habits.  Some areas have well water and this type of water supply may have naturally occurring fluoride.  So, before supplements are prescribed, the water should be tested first so the child will be getting their optimal level and not too much of fluoride.

Fluoride is a tool that dentists have used for years to combat and prevent tooth decay.  If you have concerns, or questions, please talk to your dental professional at your recare appointments.

Stephanie DeFilippo, DDS, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and a pediatric dentist and co-owner of Just Kids at Gettysburg Dental Associates.

Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates  
353 York Street Front
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 334-8193