Fluoride and Tooth Decay: A Lifelong Solution for Healthy Teeth
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps protect teeth from decay. Recently, cities like Melbourne and Palm Bay have decided to discontinue systemic water fluoridation in their public water systems. Used correctly, fluoride remains an important tool in preventing tooth decay. When properly incorporated into a child's developing teeth, systemic fluoride can provide lifelong protection against cavities and other dental issues. Fluoride can be from pills or drinking water; or topically through varnishes, gels, toothpastes, and mouth rinses to help reduce decay.
Systemic Fluoride Supplements for Your Child
If you're interested in giving your child daily fluoride supplements, we can prescribe chewable fluoride pills. The recommended dose is 1.0 mg sodium fluoride per day for children ages 6 - 12 and 0.5 sodium fluoride for children 3 – 6. For younger children (6 months to 3 years) talk to your pediatrician, and the recommended dosage is 0.25 mg per day.
Topical Fluoride for Added Protection
For those looking for additional fluoride protection, we offer professionally applied topical fluoride varnish at our office. This treatment is effective at decreasing new cavities, and it is applied after your dental cleaning. For the best results, it’s advised to avoid eating for 30 minutes after application.
At-Home Fluoride Options
There are fluoride containing toothpastes and mouth rinses available over-the-counter. There are also higher fluoride toothpastes for home use available by prescription. These products are designed for use on the teeth surfaces and are more concentrated than the fluoride dosage in systemic supplements, they should not be swallowed.
Protect Your Smile Today!
Properly used, fluoride is an important tool in dental health. Whether through daily fluoride supplements, professionally applied topical treatments, or daily at-home fluoride toothpaste, we’re here to help you and your family keep your smiles healthy and strong. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about fluoride options, don’t hesitate to ask!
We look forward to helping you achieve the best dental health possible!
