What is fluoride?

Fluoride is a mineral found in the earth’s crust that is distributed throughout nature and it is commonly found in our food and water. Our teeth lose and gain fluoride minerals daily through the process of demineralization and remineralization. This is a naturally occurring process that happens in everyone’s mouths.

Acid is created in the mouth from the combination of plaque, bacteria and sugars. Demineralization is when these acids attack the enamel of your tooth. Having fluoride added into your daily routine helps your teeth with remineralization, decreasing your chances of tooth decay. Decay occurs when too much demineralization happens without enough reminerilization.

How does fluoride prevent dental decay?

Fluoride reminerilizes the enamel by its minerals depositing themselves into the enamel, which in turn strengthens the tooth, fighting off tooth decay.

How much fluoride is enough?

Fluoride for children should only be used in a controlled environment with parental supervision and it is important that they do not swallow fluoride. Too much fluoride intake during teeth development in children can cause fluorosis. Fluorosis is when permanent teeth erupt with white lines or streaks on the surface. For children who have not learned to spit the toothpaste out, they should only use a rice grain size amount of fluoride toothpaste, however children who have learned how to spit out their toothpaste can use a pea sized amount.

What are the different types of professional fluoride treatment for my child?

The use of fluoride from home can be found in different types of foods and water, and it is most commonly found in toothpastes and mouthwashes. When you visit your dentist there are multiple ways to apply fluoride to the teeth; Gels, Foam, Rinses and Varnishes. The type of fluoride used depends on the patient. For example, if there was a young child in the chair that was unable to rinse without swallowing, fluoride varnish would more than likely be chosen by our Children's Dentists. The reasoning for this is because only a small amount is used, hardly any fluoride is swallowed and it hardens quickly and then is brushed off hours later. Children are allowed to eat soft foods following this application permitting they don’t scrape off the fluoride varnish immediately following. Another common type of fluoride used in children would be the gel or foam. This method of fluoride treatment is where the fluoride gel or foam is placed in the trays and it is left in the mouth for one to two minutes and then the excess fluoride is suctioned out. With this type of fluoride your child cannot eat or drink for thirty minutes afterwards.