Why a Family Dentist Provide Fluoride for Children

Your family dentist can provide a fluoride treatment for your child. Fluoride is a mineral that can build strong teeth and prevent cavities. It is an essential part of oral health and can support healthy teeth. It can also fight bacteria in the gums and teeth.

Benefits of fluoride from the family dentist

Fluoride will restore minerals to the surface of the teeth. This is helpful because bacteria may have eaten away at the enamel. Fluoride can also prevent harmful oral bacteria from growing in the area and causing cavities. A fluoride treatment itself cannot remove decay from the teeth.

However, it can create a stronger surface on the outer portion of the teeth. This prevents the decay from penetrating deeper into the teeth. The earlier that a child is exposed to a fluoride treatment, the less likely cavities are. One study found that children who got fluoride treatments for a year were 43% less likely to get cavities.

Before toothpaste came with fluoride, there were studies done on people who drank water with fluoride. These people were 40 to 60% less likely to get cavities by drinking the water. According to the American Dental Association, there should be small amounts of fluoride in water. That way, everyone can receive fluoride for the teeth.

Importance of fluoride treatments

Like any medication, fluoride in high doses can sometimes cause negative side effects. Too much fluoride can cause poisoning in children. For this reason, most types of toothpaste for children do not have fluoride in them. Because children do not get fluoride from toothpaste, the family dentist can offer treatments. Children are less likely to accidentally swallow fluoride from a treatment. The family dentist will take the right precautions to avoid any side effects.

What to expect in a fluoride treatment

A family dentist can provide a professional fluoride treatment by using a concentrated rinse. It may also come in a gel, foam or varnish. The dentist may apply it using a brush, swab, mouthwash or a tray. Toothpaste and water both have fluoride in them. However, a fluoride treatment has much more fluoride than what a child would normally get.

After the treatment, a child may need to avoid eating or drinking for the next half an hour. That way, the teeth will be better able to absorb the fluoride. A child may need to avoid brushing the teeth after getting this type of treatment. The child may need to wait several hours or overnight to brush the fluoride off the teeth.

Visit a family dentist today

When it comes to your children’s oral health, a family dentist can help prevent cavities. Fluoride is important for the developing teeth of children. It will help the teeth to grow in strong. This can give your children a good foundation for the rest of their lives. Visiting a family dentist near you today is the first step toward helping your child get healthier teeth.

Request an appointment here: https://www.mysaratogadentist.com or call My Saratoga Dentist PLLC at (518) 675-3094 for an appointment in our Saratoga Springs office.

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