Your child’s dental health is paramount, as strong baby teeth lay the foundation for healthy permanent teeth. One of the tiny heroes protecting children’s teeth from common cavities is “fluoride.” However, many parents may still wonder if fluoride is essential for children and what crucial role it plays in their oral care. Today, Berry Dent will clear up these doubts.
What is Fluoride and How Does It Work?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in soil, water, and some foods. It plays a vital role in strengthening tooth enamel, the outermost layer of teeth, which acts as a shield against acids produced by oral bacteria – the main cause of cavities.
The mechanism of fluoride in preventing cavities can be explained as follows:
- Strengthens Enamel : Every day, our teeth lose minerals (demineralization) due to acid attacks from sugar and bacteria. Fluoride helps to stimulate the process of returning minerals to the enamel, making it stronger and more resistant to acid erosion.
- Inhibits Demineralization: Fluoride on the tooth surface helps reduce the rate of mineral loss when teeth are exposed to acids.
- Inhibits Bacterial Activity: Fluoride can interfere with the activity of oral bacteria, causing them to produce less acid, thereby reducing a key risk factor for cavities.
Why is Fluoride Important for Children’s Dental Health?
Children’s teeth, especially baby teeth and newly erupted permanent teeth, have enamel that is not yet as strong as adult teeth, making them more susceptible to cavities than other factors. Therefore, using toothpaste with fluoride is important for children’s dental health as follows:
- Prevents Cavities in Childhood
Children often consume sugary foods and drinks like sweets, fruit juices, and sugar-sweetened milk. These are food sources for oral bacteria, which produce acids that destroy tooth enamel. Fluoride in toothpaste helps prevent cavities by strengthening enamel and reducing bacterial buildup.
- Strengthens Baby Teet
Children’s baby teeth have a thinner structure than permanent teeth. Fluoride helps strengthen baby teeth, making them more resistant to wear and tear and reducing the risk of cavities.
- Protects Permanent Teeth in the Long Run
Although permanent teeth begin to erupt around age 6-7, they start developing in the mouth from infancy. Using fluoride toothpaste in childhood helps strengthen permanent teeth from an early stage, ensuring they are strong when they emerge.
Safe Use of Fluoride Toothpaste for Children
When choosing fluoride toothpaste for children, parents should consider the appropriate fluoride concentration for their child’s age and the amount of toothpaste used for each brushing:
- Fluoride Concentration: The Thai Dental Association recommends that children under 3 years old use toothpaste with 500 ppm fluoride in a tiny amount (just a smear on the bristles). Children aged 3-6 can use toothpaste with 1000 ppm fluoride in a pea-sized amount. Children aged 6 and above can use toothpaste with 1000-1500 ppm fluoride in an amount the length of the toothbrush head.
- Amount of Toothpaste: For young children who cannot spit out toothpaste well, use a very small amount (a smear or the size of a grain of rice) to prevent swallowing too much toothpaste. As children get older and can spit out on their own, gradually increase the amount to a pea-sized amount.
- Parental Supervision: Parents should closely supervise their child’s brushing, teach them the correct brushing technique, and ensure they do not swallow toothpaste.
Although fluoride is important, excessive intake can lead to dental fluorosis, which appears as white or cloudy spots or streaks on the tooth surface. However, this condition usually does not affect overall dental health and can be prevented by using fluoride toothpaste in the appropriate amount as recommended.
Appropriate Fluoride Levels for Children
While fluoride is beneficial, using the right amount is crucial. Generally, fluoride levels in children’s toothpaste should be as follows:
- Children under 3 years: Should use a low-fluoride toothpaste (around 500 ppm) and only a rice-grain-sized amount.
- Children 3-6 years: Can use toothpaste with around 1,000 ppm fluoride in a pea-sized amount.
Proper brushing and controlling the amount of toothpaste will help reduce the risk of swallowing excess fluoride, which can affect tooth development.
Berry Dent: Safe Toothpaste for Children
For parents looking for a safe and effective toothpaste for children, Berry Dent is a hybrid toothpaste that combines fluoride with natural extracts like berry and herbal extracts, gently promoting tooth and gum health. Additionally, Berry Dent is free from harmful chemicals such as Triclosan and Parabens, making it a safe toothpaste for children and effectively preventing cavities.