Pediatric Treatments

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in nature. Fluoride is found in rocks, plants, oceans, and groundwater. Because it’s a proven way to prevent tooth decay, it’s also commonly added to community water sources and dental toothpastes.

When children eat or drink something that contains sugar or carbs, the bacteria in the mouth feed on the sugars and carbs. The bacteria then release acids that attack the protective enamel layer of teeth. When the enamel becomes weak enough, it allows bacteria to penetrate into the tooth and infect the tooth. Then decay spreads throughout the tooth causing a cavity. Fluoride treatments are absorbed into the enamel, greatly increasing the strength of the enamel. This makes teeth much more resistant to acid and bacteria.

Fluoride treatments can even reverse early tooth decay. Fluoride also promotes remineralization of the tooth, which is when minerals are redeposited into the enamel after acids strip the minerals away (demineralization).

In younger children who still have their baby teeth, fluoride also becomes incorporated into their developing permanent teeth. When the permanent teeth erupt, they’re stronger and less prone to tooth decay.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drinking fluoridated water decreases cavities by approximately 25% in kids and adults. In fact, fluoride is so effective at fighting decay, the CDC has called community water fluoridation one of the top 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century.

Proper dosage and exposure to Fluoride is safe for children. People in the United States have been drinking fluoridated water since the 1940’s. Fluoride for children has been endorsed by hundreds of health organizations, ranging from the American Dental Association to the World Health Organization. Exposure to too much fluoride can lead to issues with the teeth, such as fluorosis of tooth enamel. If you’re concerned about your child getting too much fluoride, talk with our pediatric dentist. We can help you determine the correct amount of fluoride to keep your child’s teeth healthy and strong.

All treatments are topical and applied directly to the teeth in the form of a varnish, gel or a foam. We find that applying a varnish is faster and more well-tolerated than other methods. We simply paint the varnish on your child’s teeth after their dental cleaning. The whole process only takes a few minutes and is completely painless.

Varnish is also appropriate for younger kids because the varnish hardens when it comes into contact with saliva, so your child won’t swallow it or be able to lick it off.

Waiting 30 minutes after application is recommended before eating or drinking. Waiting four to six hours before brushing their teeth is also recommended.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends using a tiny smear of fluoride tooth paste, about the size of a grain of rice as soon as a baby’s first tooth erupts. This amount should be increased to a pea-sized amount between the ages of 3 and 6.