Keeping a child’s teeth healthy is one of the top priorities for parents. Tooth decay (dental caries) is the most common chronic illness in children worldwide. Children love eating sweet foods, fruit juice and snacks but unfortunately lack the manual dexterity to brush their teeth well. This means harmful bacteria can grow and multiply in their mouths causing the soft enamel of their teeth to weaken.
Fluoride treatments are highly recommended by dentists worldwide. This guide has everything you need to know about fluoride varnish, how safe it is, the benefits and simple ways to keep your growing child’s teeth healthy.
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a natural mineral found in abundance in the earth’s crust. It can be found naturally in our water, soil, rocks, plants and foods. Fluoride is often referred to as nature’s cavity fighter by health professionals as it helps strengthen developing teeth.
BioMineralization
Every day your child will lose and gain minerals from their teeth. Bacteria feeds off sugary foods in the mouth releasing harmful acids which strip the important minerals from the hard enamel. Fluoride helps by adding fresh calcium and phosphate minerals.
Strengthening Enamel
Fluoride changes the natural hydro-apatite crystals that make up the enamel of teeth into fluoride-apatite. This is much stronger than natural enamel and more resistant to acid attacks.
Inhibits Bacterial Growth
Fluoride helps to slow down the growth of bacteria that causes tooth decay. It reduces the ability of the bacteria to produce acidic substances.
Why Children Need Extra Protection
Primary teeth (baby teeth) have much thinner enamel than adult teeth. This means the acid from plaque will eat away at the enamel much quicker. A small cavity can quickly become a large cavity in baby teeth causing lots of pain as it eats away at the nerve.
Guides Permanent Teeth
Baby teeth help to keep space in the jaw for permanent teeth to come through. If a child loses a baby tooth early due to severe decay, the surrounding teeth will move into the gap. This causes misalignment and severe overcrowding when the permanent teeth come through.
Helps Speech
Children need healthy front baby teeth to help them speak properly.
Helps them Eat Correctly
Severe pain from cavities means young children will struggle to eat fresh fruits, vegetables and healthy foods. Healthy teeth help children eat a balanced diet.
Benefits of Using Fluoride Treatments For Children
Fluoride treatments offer many benefits to help protect your child’s teeth. They are applied by dentists using high concentration topical Fluoride.
Pain Free Protection
Fluoride treatments provide a pain free way to help prevent cavities. They are applied using a smooth substance by the dentist. No drilling, needles or uncomfortable equipment is used.
Reverse Early Decay
If a dentist can spot early cavities (tiny white spots along the gum line), the topical fluoride can help to heal the weakened area.
Quick and Easy
The whole treatment takes less than 2 minutes to complete meaning it’s perfect for fidgety toddlers.
Cost Effective
Applying fluoride varnish is much cheaper than fixing severe cavities with fillings, crowns, root canals and extractions under general anesthetic.
Long Lasting
The high concentration varnish is applied directly to the enamel and slowly releases minerals to help protect your child’s teeth for several months.
Types of Fluoride For Children
There are a few different ways parents can give their child fluoride.
Fluoride Varnish
A high concentration sticky gel is painted onto the top, sides and biting surfaces of all the teeth by a pediatric dentist. It is applied using a small soft brush and instantly sets when it comes into contact with natural saliva.
Fluoride Foam/Gel
Sometimes dentists will place a mild tasting fluoride foam or gel into a soft flexible mouth tray. The child bites gently onto the tray for between 1-4 minutes.
Fluoridated Toothpaste
Parents can purchase toothpaste with safe levels of fluoride.
Fluoridated Tap Water
Many water supplies add low safe levels of fluoride to tap water.
How Safe is Fluoride?
All parents want to ensure their child is safe. Fluoride treatments are extremely safe for growing children as there has been extensive research, trials and reviews into topical fluoride.
Recommended by Major Health Organizations
Major health organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dental Association, World Health Organization and World Dental Federation highly recommend fluoride varnish for young children.
Very Little Swallowed
A very small amount of quick setting varnish is painted onto the teeth by dental professionals. As it instantly sets there is very little swallowed.
Monitor Amount Used At Home
Parents should monitor how much fluoridated toothpaste their young child uses.
Correct Amount to Use At Home
Using the correct amount of fluoridated toothpaste will ensure your child’s teeth are protected whilst preventing them from over consuming.
Under 3 Years Old
As soon as the first baby tooth has appeared parents should start brushing their child’s teeth twice a day. Use a very small amount of fluoridated toothpaste (no bigger than a grain of rice).
3-6 Years Old
Use a small amount of toothpaste (pea sized). Encourage your child to spit out the excess.
6 Years
Children can use a full pea sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. At this age they have more control over swallowing and can rinse and spit.
Dental Mottled Enamel
Dental mottled enamel is a mild condition that can occur if young children swallow too much fluoride over a long period of time whilst their permanent teeth are still developing.
Mild Cosmetic Condition
Mild mottled enamel will cause very pale white spots or fine lace like lines on the enamel of adult teeth. There will be no pain, decay or damage.
Very Strong Teeth
Teeth with mild mottled enamel are very strong and will be resistant to cavity causing bacteria.
Prevention
It can easily be prevented by supervising your child whilst they brush their teeth, keeping toothpaste out of reach of young toddlers and using the correct amount (rice sized or pea sized).
What Happens During Fluoride Treatment?
Knowing what happens during fluoride treatment will help you prepare your child.
Cleaning
The hygienist/dentist will gently wipe away any plaque, soft food and moisture from your child’s teeth using a soft cotton roll or small brush.
Application
The dentist will use a small soft bristled brush to paint the tasty fluoride varnish onto all surfaces of the teeth. The varnish often has a nice flavor such as bubblegum, melon or strawberry.
Setting
As soon as the varnish comes into contact with natural saliva it will instantly set. Your child can then safely shut their mouth.
Treatment Complete
The treatment will take only 2 minutes to complete. The dental team will give you some guidelines about what your child can eat and drink.
Aftercare
Following these simple steps will ensure the varnish stays on your child’s enamel.
Drink & Eat
Your child can drink cold or room temperature water. They can also eat soft cool or warm foods.
Don’t Eat Hot Food/Drinks
Do not give your child very hot soups, hot chocolate or boiling drinks. This can cause the varnish to melt.
Don’t Eat Crunchy/Hard Food
Avoid giving your child any crunchy, hard or sticky foods such as chips, nuts, popcorn or chewy sweets.
Don’t Brush At Night
Do not brush or floss your child’s teeth the night after they have had their varnish in the morning/afternoon. Let the varnish sit on their teeth overnight so the enamel can absorb as much minerals as possible. Brush as normal the next morning.
How Often Should Children Have Fluoride?
Every child will have different needs so the frequency of fluoride will depend on their cavity risk.
Low/Moderate Risk
Children with healthy teeth and a low risk of cavities will have fluoride varnish applied twice a year during their 6 monthly check up.
High Risk
Children with active tooth decay, deep grooves in their teeth, weak enamel or physical issues that make it difficult to brush their teeth at home may be recommended to have fluoride varnish applied 3-4 times a year by their pediatric dentist.
First Application
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommend having your child’s first fluoride application as soon as their first tooth has appeared or by their first birthday.
Common Myths About Fluoride
There are many myths about fluoride online which can cause parents unnecessary worry. Let’s look at some facts.
Myth: Fluoride is toxic for children.
– Fact: Natural fluoride is completely safe to use. A small amount is used by dental professionals to give localized benefits. It will not affect your child’s overall health.
Myth: Baby teeth don’t need fluoride as they fall out.
– Fact: Decay in baby teeth can cause severe pain, dangerous infections and issues with alignment of future adult teeth. It is important to keep your child’s primary teeth healthy.
Myth: Fluoride treatments hurt.
– Fact: Fluoride varnish is smooth and has a nice taste. It is applied using a soft brush by the dentist so will not hurt your toddler.
Myth: Fluoridated water is enough.
– Fact: Fluoridated water is a great background support but cannot provide the concentrated protection that fluoride varnish can.
Daily Oral Hygiene For Young Children
Fluoride treatments work best when combined with good daily oral hygiene.
Brush Twice A Day
Help your child to brush their teeth for 2 minutes every morning and evening. Parents should help/supervise until they are 8 years old.
Floss Daily
Start flossing between your child’s teeth as soon as 2 teeth touch. This will remove any food or plaque that has got stuck in between their teeth.
Eat Healthy Wholefoods
Offer your child fresh vegetables, natural cheese, plain yogurt, lean meats and wholegrain. Cheese and plain milk contain natural calcium and phosphate which will help rebuild the enamel with the fluoride.
Limit Sugary Foods/Drinks
Limit your child from having fizzy drinks, fruit juice, sports drinks and sticky sweets. If they do have any sweet foods encourage them to drink fresh plain water straight after.
Visit Your Pediatric Dentist
Visit your pediatric dentist every 6 months for check ups, gentle cleans and prevention.
FAQs
Is fluoride varnish safe for babies under 1?
Yes! Fluoride varnish is completely safe for babies under 1. It is recommended by pediatric dentists and pediatricians to apply fluoride varnish as soon as the first primary tooth has appeared. A small safe amount is used which instantly sets so the baby will not swallow any liquid.
Will my child’s teeth turn yellow?
Some brands of fluoride varnish have a pale yellow color to help the dentist see where they are applying it. This will wash off completely when you brush your child’s teeth the next morning. Their teeth will be clean, shiny and white.
Can my child have fluoride if we have fluoridated tap water?
Yes! Your child can have topical fluoride varnish even if you have fluoridated tap water. Tap water provides low dose internal support. Fluoride varnish provides concentrated external support. Both work together safely to help prevent cavities.
What if my child swallows toothpaste?
If your child swallows the recommended small amount of toothpaste (rice sized or pea sized) there is nothing to worry about. If however a young child has swallowed a large amount of toothpaste from the tube give them a glass of milk. The calcium in the milk will naturally bind to the fluoride in their stomach reducing any digestive issues. If they have swallowed a large amount contact your pediatrician or local poison center for advice.
Topical fluoride is one of the safest, most effective and affordable treatments available in pediatric dentistry. It helps to put essential minerals back into weakened enamel, stops bacteria growing and can reverse early signs of decay. Combining bi-annual varnish applications with good brushing habits, healthy eating and regular visits to the dentist will ensure your child grows up with strong, shiny and cavity free teeth. Book a preventative check up with your pediatric dentist today to give your child the priceless gift of a healthy smile.