What Is Fluoride?
You can get oral care products that are fluoride free, but whereas fluoride-free toothpaste just removes debris from teeth, fluoride offers a layer of protection against tooth decay.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral. It is not only in dental care products; it is also found in natural spring water, and it is added to city-supplied drinking water as well. It works by strengthening and rebuilding tooth enamel, the outer layer of the tooth. It can also decrease the amount of plaque on teeth – when too much plaque accumulates, tooth decay begins.
Besides water and oral care products, you can also find fluoride in some foods, such as canned fish, yams, milk, eggs, and red meat. It is important that we get enough fluoride for healthy teeth, and children should be getting enough fluoride from a very young age so that as their teeth come in they will be strong and healthy.
You may have heard that fluoride is bad for you and that it can cause a variety of health problems, but you would have to get an awful lot of fluoride to develop these issues! However, children’s teeth are especially susceptible to the effects of too much fluoride, which can cause harmless white patches. This can happen because, in addition to fluoride in drinking water, children often swallow fluoride-containing toothpaste as they brush, right during the time when teeth are developing.
Are you concerned that your children’s teeth aren’t as healthy as they should be? Contact Dental Kidz Club today for help! Your child may benefit from silver diamine fluoride treatment, an extra bit of fluoride to help protect teeth at high risk for cavities. Call 951-200-5553 for an appointment at one of the several convenient kids’ dentist locations – Brea, Corona, Covina, Ontario, Riverside, Chino, and Perris, California. Call to schedule an appointment today!
