Fluoride and Your Child
Wylie, Texas
Fluoride serves as a naturally occurring mineral vital for healthy tooth development. The mineral provides three primary benefits:
- Strengthens tooth enamel - By capturing minerals in saliva and forcing them into the tooth’s makeup
- Inhibits bacterial metabolism - Slowing down the growth of bacteria and their acidic byproducts
- Inhibits tooth demineralization - Meaning it can slow or stop the progression of an already existing cavity
Sources of Fluoride
Fluoride appears in most drinking water and common toothpastes.
Guidelines for Children
Parents should follow specific guidelines for children:
- Ages 2-6: Use only a pea-sized portion of fluoride toothpaste
- Under age 2: Use only a tiny smear
- Infants under 6 months: Fluoride should not be used
Fluorosis Risk
Excessive fluoride exposure creates fluorosis, presenting as:
- Streaked or mottled tooth appearance
- White spots
- Dark discoloration with pitting
The risk period concludes by age nine once permanent teeth fully develop.
