How Fluoride Treatment Helps Your Child's Cavities and Make the Teeth Stronger
Children are prone to developing dental cavities, not only because of their love for sugary treats but also because of poor dental practices. While it is important to teach your child proper dental practices, you will need other preventive measures to make the teeth stronger and also prevent cavities, like fluoride treatment.
Fluoride is one of the minerals that strengthen the teeth and helps to prevent cavities. If your child is at risk of developing cavities, talk to the pediatric dentist near you about fluoride treatment.
What is Fluoride Treatment?
Fluoride treatment is available in both topical and systemic. Systemic fluoride treatment includes products that can be ingested like water and supplements. Topical fluoride, on the other hand, involves applying varnish, gels, or foam on the enamel. Our pediatric dentist in Columbia, SC, can at times use both treatments to strengthen the teeth.
Why is Fluoride Treatment Important?
Fluoride treatment encourages the production of a substance, fluorapatite, which supports the preservation of the enamel. It helps to build a decay-resistant enamel that will help to prevent cavities. Furthermore, it remineralizes teeth.
Every day, our teeth go through two important processes; demineralization and re-mineralization. Demineralization stripes the vital minerals—calcium and phosphate from the enamel. This leaves the enamel exposed. Fortunately, the enamel can reverse the process if provided with the required minerals—fluoride.
Fluoride also helps to reduce the acid solution in the mouth. Sweets, sodas, and other kids’ favorite expose the teeth to cavity-forming substances. When the children eat sugary foods, they combine with the bacteria present in the mouth. The end product is an acid solution that attacks the enamel and leads to the formation of tiny holes.
The holes trap food and lead to bacterial growth. This will lead to decay and also pulp infection. How long a cavity last will depend on when the treatment is started. It is, therefore, important to visit Dr. Mouna Boster for assessment and treatment when you notice a cavity has begun forming in your child’s mouth.
Fluoride can create a barrier as well as neutralize the ph in the mouth.
When Does the Dentist Recommend Fluoride?
Fluoride is important to your child’s dental health and they need it before the teeth erupt. Giving fluoridated water and fluoride-rich foods will cause the teeth to come out strong.
When it comes to fluoride treatment, age plays a factor of consideration. Generally, children below age six don’t require fluoride rinse or treatment. Our dentist can recommend fluoride varnish on children from age six. This minimizes the chances of them swallowing it.
What Can You Expect from Your Appointment?
The pediatric dentist will begin by cleaning the teeth to remove plaques, Next, the varnish is applied to the teeth. Leave the varnish for 4 to 12 hours and then brush it out. Your child’s teeth may darken a bit, but they will return to their normal color after a while.
Your child can eat and drink after the fluoride treatment, but only soft and warm food and drinks. Also, do not brush or floss for a couple of hours. At times the dentist can ask you to wait until the next morning.
Is Fluoride Treatment Safe?
Fluoride treatment is safe and does not cause any problem if used in the correct dose. If there is an overdose, your child may develop fluorosis. This will cause discoloration and the formation of white patches on the teeth.
In severe cases, toxicity may develop and the bone may become dense, but brittle. But, fluorosis is rare and can occur when you take fluoride supplements in excess.
Is Fluoride Important After Childhood?
Yes. Fluoride can benefit anyone as it helps to prevent cavities. Adults also need fluoride treatment every three, six, or twelve months or as advised by the dentist.
Make an Appointment
Visit Kids First Dental in Columbia for more information on fluoride treatment, how it works, and the other preventive measures you can take to heal cavities.