Focus on Fluoride

Excerpt from "Your Child's Teeth: Helpful Tips for Parents and Caregivers", by the American Dental Association:

Cavities used to be a fact of life. But, during the past few decades, tooth decay has been dramatically reduced. The key reason: fluoride.

Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in all water sources, including the oceans. Research has shown that fluoride not only prevents cavities, it also helps repair the early stages of tooth decay even before the decay is visible.

During childhood, when teeth still are forming, fluoride works by making tooth enamel more resistant to the acid that causes tooth decay. After teeth erupt, the benefits are just as great. Fluoride helps repair, or remineralize, areas where the acid attacks have already begun.

Fluoride is obtained in two forms: topical and systemic. Topical fluorides may be found in toothpastes, mouth rinses, and fluoride applied in the dental office. Systemic fluorides are those that are swallowed. They include fluoridated water and dietary fluoride supplements in the form of tablets, drops or lozenges. The maximum reduction in tooth decay is achieved when fluoride is available both topically and systemically.

Water fluoridation provides both topical and systemic benefits for preventing tooth decay. Community water fluoridation is an extremely effective and inexpensive means of obtaining the fluoride necessary for optimal prevention of tooth decay. If you are unsure about the fluoride level in your community’s water, ask your dentist and/or contact your local or state health department or water supplier.

Children who regularly drink bottled water, well water or unfluoridated tap water may be missing the benefits of fluoride. While some bottled water naturally contains optimal levels of fluoride, the majority of bottled waters do not. Some companies produce bottled water with added fluoride. Check the bottled water label or contact the distributer for more information.

Before you give your child any vitamin or supplement that contains fluoride, check with you dentist to see if one is needed. Discuss your child’s fluoride needs with your dentist or pediatrician. Based on your dentist’s assessment of you rfamilies oral health, the use of additional fluoride-containing products may or may not be recommended.