Okemos, Lansing, East Lansing MI
As a parent, you want to protect your children from harm. That includes ensuring that any dental products your kids use are both effective and safe. At Tenaglia Smiles, we believe that fluoridated toothpaste is effective, safe and should be a crucial part of the dental regimen for your child. Read on as, today on the blog, we provide some of the facts you should know about fluoride.
Fluoride and its importance
Demineralization, or the loss is fluoride, occurs naturally in your teeth and is impossible to stop. This demineralization can weaken your enamel – the protective outer layer of your teeth. This enamel is the strongest substance in the entire human body but it is neither invulnerable nor indestructible. Bacteria and acids in the mouth can wear away at your enamel, which also thins as you age. Fluoride, on the other hand, helps enamel repair itself. This process is called remineralization, and enables your enamel to stay strong, resistant to acids and also improves your mouth’s defense against tooth decay.
Dentists have known about the value of fluoride for many years. This is why the American Dental Association recommends that, when you brush your teeth twice a day, you do so using a toothpaste that contains fluoride. If you are not sure which brand of toothpaste contains fluoride, just look for any product that has the ADA seal on the packaging.
When it comes to fluoride, balance matters
A person can be overexposed to fluoride. This leads to a condition called fluorosis. This will not structurally harm teeth but it does create the appearance of faint streaks in your tooth enamel. These streaks may be faint and white, or darker in color. If you have streaks on your teeth due to fluorosis, your cosmetic dentist in Okemos can administer a teeth whitening procedure. However, it is better to manage exposure to fluoride and avoid this happening in the first place.
You can start using fluoride toothpaste for your child sooner than you might think
If your child is still very young (under the age of three) and faces an elevated risk of tooth decay for whatever reason, we may recommend you start using a fluoridated toothpaste even at this early age. You don’t need much; just a small smear about the size of a grain of rice. This modest amount lowers the likelihood that your child will swallow the toothpaste, as the intake of fluoride products increases the chance of fluorosis. Refrain from using supplements or oral rinses that contain fluoride unless you speak to your family dentist in East Lansing or your child’s pediatrician.
Preventive care dentistry for all ages
If you want to augment your child’s defense against tooth decay, Tenaglia Smiles offers fluoride treatments as part of our program of preventive care. Adults also can benefit from the application of fluoride treatments if they are more prone to developing cavities, have a cavity form on the root of a tooth or if they have a non-fluoridated source of water in their home, such as well water. To learn more about our program of preventive care or any of the other services offered at Tenaglia Smiles, schedule a consultation today by calling (517) 347-6733 or contact us online.