Fluoride

Your child brushes her teeth twice a day, flosses regularly and visits the dentist every six months, but did you know that rinsing with fluoride – a mineral that helps prevent cavities and tooth decay – also helps keep her teeth healthy and strong?

Fluoride comes in two varieties, topical and systemic:

Topical fluoride is applied directly to the tooth and includes toothpastes and mouth rinses.
Systemic fluorides are generally only used by a dentist and are not often available for at home use. Systemic fluoride treatments are designed to help protect the oral health of children undergoing dental procedures. Fluoride used in the dentist/orthodontists office is often a much stronger concentration than in toothpaste or mouthwash, but is available at some drug stores or a pharmacy (ask your dentist before purchasing professional strength fluoride).

Receiving fluoride treatment from your dentist

At Pearland Pediatric Dentistry, we use a fluoride varnish which stays on the patients’ teeth throughout the day allowing them to benefit from the fluoride for an extended amount of time. This also allows them to drink and eat immediately following their appointment. Depending on your child’s oral health or your doctor’s recommendation, your child may be required to have a fluoride treatment every three, six, or 12 months. The doctor may also prescribe an at home fluoride product such as mouthwash, gels, or antibacterial rinses.

How to choose the right fluoride treatment

When choosing your own at home fluoride product (such as toothpaste or mouthwash), always check for the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of acceptance. Products marked with the ADA seal of approval have been carefully examined by the ADA and approved, based on safety and effectiveness. Take care of your child’s teeth so they can smile bright with dental fluoride treatments!