As a pediatric dentist, I am often asked at what age a child should start using fluoride toothpaste. The answer is, as soon as your baby has teeth! Teeth are susceptible to getting cavities as soon as they grow into the mouth. Regular use of fluoride will help prevent your child from developing cavities.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is important for healthy teeth, much like how calcium is important for strong bones. It is found at varying levels in all-natural water sources. After discovering how fluoride benefits teeth, communities began optimally fluoridating their water supply so that the fluoride levels were just right for healthy teeth. This resulted in a 25% decrease in tooth decay in the fluoridated communities, and the CDC named this revelation one of the top 10 public health advancements in the 20th century. (1) Now, most major US cities have fluoridated water.
Fluoride works to fight cavities in multiple ways. It is incorporated into the enamel, strengthening and making the enamel more resistant to developing a cavity. Fluoride also remineralizes tooth surfaces that are in the early stages of developing a cavity, healing early lesions. Additionally, it works as an antimicrobial by disrupting the metabolic processes of the bacteria that cause cavities.
Fluoride is found in many over the counter toothpastes and mouthwashes. The AAPD recommends the use of fluoridated toothpaste for children of all ages to reduce the risk of getting cavities. It is important to remember that children need assistance in brushing until they are around 8 years old, or until they are able to tie their shoelaces by themselves. While fluoride is safe and beneficial in the appropriate amounts, ingestion of too much fluoride as a child can cause fluorosis, which presents as white or brown discolorations on permanent teeth. Make sure you monitor how much toothpaste your child is using each time they brush their teeth.
For children under three, use a grain of rice size amount of toothpaste. After brushing your child’s teeth, you may use a soft cloth to wipe away the excess toothpaste. For children over three, a pea-size amount of toothpaste is recommended. Mouthwash containing fluoride may also be used in children, but for those too young to spit out it is a good idea to dip the toothbrush in the mouthwash and swab it over your child’s teeth.
When your child visits the dentist, your dentist will likely recommend topical fluoride treatment in the form of a varnish, foam or gel. Fluoride varnish is an excellent choice because it sticks to the tooth and is later brushed off, minimizing the amount of fluoride that is ingested. These periodic treatments provided by your dentist are very effective in preventing cavities from developing.
Fluoride is an effective and easy way to keep teeth healthy, and regular use of fluoride along with dental check-ups every six months could keep long-term costs of dental treatment down.
1. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4850bx.htm
About Dr. Roxanna Khajavi, Pediatric DMD
Dr. Roxanna Khajavi is a pediatric dentist, but beyond that, she loves what she does. She believes the first experience any child has in a dental office needs to leave a special mark in their mind and in their hearts. This is the reason she became a dentist. Dr. Khajavi strives to make sure that all her patients have a wonderful experience. She says, “The dentistry part is easy, but making your children laugh and smile while under my care, has never been an obstacle! Our mission is to make sure every child feels like they are surrounded by a team who truly cares about their experience. To us, every patient is more than just a “patient”, each child is family.”
About Battery Park Pediatric Dentists
Battery Park Pediatric Dentists proudly provides quality pediatric dental care to the community of New York and surrounding areas. Their office specializes in dentistry for infants, children, and adolescents. Their services include preventative children’s dentistry, oral hygiene and maintenance, management of growth and development, conscious sedation, comprehensive orthodontic treatment and much more. You can read more about them HERE.
Related articles:
List of Pediatric Dentists in Lower Manhattan
 |  |  |
Macaroni Kid Lower Manhattan is the family fun go-to source for the latest and most comprehensive information in our area. Subscribe for FREE today.
