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 

How to talk to your children so they don’t fear the dentist

How to talk to your children so they don’t fear the dentist
By Dr. Stephanie DeFilippo


The definition of fear is to be afraid of something that is likely to be dangerous, painful, or threatening. According to Peter Milgrom, DDS (WebMD), “twenty percent of people experience enough anxiety that they will go to the dentist only when absolutely necessary.” This neglect causes unnecessary pain and infection. When asked, most people would say that their fear of the dentist stems from a negative experience they had as a child. As a pediatric dentist, it is our goal for children to have positive experiences so they will not develop this fear. Without realizing, or intending, parents can translate their own fear to their children.

Tips for how to talk to your children about the dentist:

• Talk positively about the dentist. Please don’t use words like shot, hurt, or pain. Instill in your child that the dentist is there to help them and not hurt them. Don’t threaten “going to the dentist” when your child is misbehaving.
• Take care of your own oral health. Be a good example for your child and brush and floss at home, as well as having your own checkups every 6-months. This will also keep you dentally healthy and avoid any pain, or discomfort.
• Let the dentist (or hygienist) explain what is going to happen during your child’s appointment. Give your child basic information about the visit and let the dentist and their crew use tell, show, do. Tell, show, do is a process that dental professionals use to ease children into the visit. We TELL them what we are going to do, SHOW them what we are going to do it with and then DO the procedure. A pediatric dentist works only with children; therefore, they use only “child friendly” terms for the dental tools. For example, we don’t call the hand piece used to clean a cavity a “drill.” We may call the hand piece “Mr. Whistle.”
• Please don’t share your negative experiences. We all want to be “honest” with our children, but this is not the time to share all of the bad things that have happened to you when you were their age. This will only put in their mind that the dentist hurt you and they will hurt them.

Bring your child to the dentist as early as possible (preferably age 1) and continue to come every 6-months for a professional cleaning and exam. When the proper steps are taken for prevention, your child will already have a healthy relationship with their dentist if or when they get a cavity, or other dental issue. Waiting until your child has a toothache to see the dentist is not the best game plan. The last thing we want is to have your child associate the dentist with pain. If your child has frequent check-ups, then they are less likely to have pain and infection.


Following these steps will start your child onto a happy and healthy dental journey that will take them into adulthood.


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.

Are x-rays of baby teeth really necessary? By Dr. Stephanie DeFilippo

There are unseen cavities that the dentist cannot find between your child’s teeth without taking x-rays. They are crucial for early detection and the filling of any cavities that may be present. Once a cavity is present it will not go away on its own. These cavities between your child’s teeth start small and will continue to become larger until it makes a visible hole in the tooth. Once this happens, then a simple filling won’t be enough to fix the decay. Now, the tooth may need either a stainless steel crown with nerve treatment or the tooth may need taken out. Prevention is crucial in dentistry and x-rays help the dental professional keep your child’s teeth healthy.

There are different types of x-rays that your child may be exposed to at the dentist. Cavity detection x-rays are also called bitewings and one is taken on both sides of your child’s mouth. These are the most common x-rays that will be taken on a regular basis. As your child grows, we want to make sure their permanent teeth are all present and coming in correctly. The x-ray that shows your chlid’s facial bones and underlying permanent teeth is called a panoramic x-ray. If your child has pain with a specific tooth, then a periapical x-ray will be taken to show the entire tooth from the crown (the part you can see) to the root underneath, along with the developing permanent teeth and surrounding bone. An occlusal x-ray will be taken of the front top or bottom teeth to check and see how much longer it will be until they come out (a panoramic x-ray will also tell you this). Also, periapical or occlusal x-rays can be taken to detect cavities in your child’s front teeth. Your child won’t require x-rays at every visit. Many times, bitewing x-rays are taken on a yearly basis. If your child is more cavity prone then we may take more frequent x-rays until their dental disease is in control.

Most parents are worried about dental x-ray radiation and this fear will prevent them from allowing the above x-rays. At our office, all necessary prevention is taken by draping your child with a lead apron and using the most up-to-date x-ray machine that will emit the least amount of radiation possible in order to obtain an image. Please, if you have any fears, ask your dentist, or dental hygienist. They will be happy to have a conversation with you and address any concerns you may have. Our purpose is always to help your child and maintain their oral health in the best way possible. In order for us to do this then x-rays will be needed.

Remember, it is very important to be helping or monitoring your child when it is time to brush and floss. Older children, who you are confident won’t swallow the liquid, may benefit from a fluoride rinse. Also, make sure your children are getting a cleaning every six months. Our purpose is prevention and early detection of any cavities.

Visit www.colgate.com for further information.

Dr. Stephanie DeFilippo is a pediatric dentist at Drs. Null, Seidel and Associates.

Drs. Null, Seidel & Dental Associates  

353 York Street Front

Gettysburg, PA 17325

(717) 334-8193