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In the year 2018, we know more about dental therapeutic agents than ever before. However, the positive effects of fluoride have been documented since 1901. It has been established that children who have the advantage of optimal fluoride, a parent-assisted oral hygiene program, proper diet and regular dental visits have minimal or no tooth decay or gum disease.
Bottom line: fluoride is an important component of preventive dentistry, playing an essential role in maintaining children’s primary (baby) teeth and aiding in the development of strong permanent (adult) teeth.
Today, there are many misconceptions about the advantages and disadvantages of fluoride. Therefore, we would like to take this opportunity to inform parents on the facts about fluoride. Starting with the basics first: what is fluoride and how does it work? Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is released from rocks into our Earth’s soil, water, and air.
On a microscopic level, fluoride performs three defensive roles to protect your child’s teeth. First, fluoride has the ability to strengthen teeth like calcium strengthens bones, resulting in teeth that are much more resilient to the effects of bacterial acids. Second, fluoride has the ability to help arrest small cavities in their earliest stages and repair the tooth through a process known as remineralization. Third, fluoride has the ability to kill the bacteria that cause cavities, preventing and/or arresting disease progression.
There are two avenues through which teeth can obtain fluoride: when it is swallowed and when it is put onto the tooth surface.
Fluoride that is swallowed usually comes from fluoridated water. More than 65 years of research and experience have shown that water fluoridation is safe and highly effective. Currently water fluoridation serves as a cornerstone to any effective public health initiative to enhance the oral health in our communities. Not to mention, fluoridation of community water is supported by the American Dental Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Academy, and the World Health Organization. The greatest advantage to water fluoridation is its convenience and reliability.
An important note to our families living overseas is that many European countries do not take part in water fluoridation. Fluoride is added to the tap water on Ramstein, Landstuhl, and Sembach, but fluoride is not added to the tap water on Vogelweh.
Those living off base have the opportunity to purchase bottled water with fluoride at our local commissaries. These items can be easily identified by their red bottle caps.
When fluoride is placed on the surface of your teeth, it is called topical fluoride. Fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses contain topical fluoride, and your dentist can apply a topical fluoride varnish to the teeth. When considering toothpaste and mouth rinse, there are some important matters to consider when it comes to your child’s age.
First, parents should keep an eye on children under the age of 6 when they are utilizing fluoridated dental products. For children 6 months (or first tooth) to 3 years of age, only a smear (or about the size a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste should be utilized. For children 3 years of age and older, place only a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste on the child’s toothbrush at each brushing. Lastly, children under the age of 6 should not use a fluoride mouth rinse because of the increased likelihood of ingestion.
We hope you found this information helpful and that it left you feeling more confident and competent about fluoride’s role in preventing childhood cavities. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your dental provider.
