We have all probably heard that fluoride can help reduce tooth decay and it is recommended for our children to get fluoride treatments at their dental check up appointments. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel and this benefit is enhanced when teeth are developing.
What is the ADA’s Stance?
In the past, the recommendation for children using fluoride started at age six. However, the ADA (American Dental Association) recognizes new research findings that demonstrated that it may be beneficial for children to be given fluoride even earlier. The new recommendation is that children should receive fluoride as soon as a child’s first tooth develops. Children who used toothpaste with fluoride at an earlier age had a significantly lower rate of tooth decay. Unfortunately, many children develop cavities before kindergarten. The use of fluoride can help to prevent this from happening. When picking toothpaste with fluoride for you or your children, look for toothpastes that have received the ADA seal. This assures that the product has been evaluated for safety by a body of scientific experts.
Using Fluoride Safely
The ADA does caution parents that they need to monitor their children closely when they are brushing their teeth with fluoride toothpaste to be sure they are not ingesting it. Typically, children over the age of six should use about a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on their brushes. However, children under the age of six should use amounts even smaller, like a thin smear across the top of the bristles. Parents can and should brush for children of a younger age and make sure they are spitting out the toothpaste as opposed to swallowing it.
We are very aware that there are many differing beliefs on the use of fluoride and we respect parent choice in this regard and team with our patients to develop the best dental plan for their children. However, the scientific evidence is clear that fluoride application to the teeth prevents cavities and helps to build stronger enamel. There are certainly guidelines for using it safely and we follow those guidelines and are happy to partner with you to help you do the same at home with your little one.
If you have any questions about fluoride, we would be happy to answer them. We are here to provide you with the most recent up-to-date information based on the scientific information that is available.
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Delaney, Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly and newly renovated office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. Our pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults and are proud to be Preferred Providers of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen services. The ability to treat all patients with compassion and individuality, including those that may have special needs reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy and customized care options. We pioneered valued hospital affiliations to allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John Macomb Hospital, when appropriate or necessary, and our specialists are also proud to be on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
