As a parent, one of the responsibilities that lie on the shoulders is keeping the child healthy, and it includes the oral health. It is a must to teach the child to have a good oral habit and cultivate the habit of visiting a dentist regularly. One of the important parts of oral health is fluoride for kids (เคลือบฟลูออไรด์. term in Thai). If you bring your child to the dentist, usually the dentist will recommend to apply fluoride to strengthen the teeth. What the fluoride does is it builds up enamel, which is the outer thin coating of the teeth. It protects the teeth from decay and infection. With fluoride application, you are taking the step to protect the teeth from destruction. Many tooth products are enriched with fluoride, but sometimes these products are not enough. The best thing is to get fluoride treatment at the dental office.
In this article, we will discuss some of the important things you should know about fluoride for kids (เคลือบฟลูออไรด์เด็ก, this is the term in Thai). They are as follows:
Is it necessary for babies for babies to have supplemental fluoride even before their teeth emerge?
Fluoride supplement is not really necessary if the babies have no teeth yet, which is usually under six months. The other thing about applying fluoride for below six months is that you are making the baby prone to fluorosis leading to white streaks. Nevertheless, fluoride application does not cause any pain. It does not even affect the functions of the teeth.
Is using fluoride enriched toothpaste okay and when should you start using it?
The practice of using fluoride enriched toothpaste should begin the moment you see the first tooth appear. The tooth should be brushed at least twice a day. Make sure you are gentle with brushing. Make sure to use only a small amount of toothpaste. The amount of toothpaste must be gradually increased as the child grows older.
Can kids benefit from fluorinated water?
In an attempt to make fluoride appetizing to kids, there is now called fluorinated water. It helps keep the teeth healthy. It can even prevent the possibility of developing tooth decay by up to 25%.
The benefits of fluoride in keeping the teeth healthy have been emphasized not only by dental professionals, but also by companies that sell oral related products. While many of these products are approved by dental health organization, it is still important to conduct a thorough research for you to find the products that are not only effective but also safe. Aside from these fluoride-enriched products, it is also important to visit the dental clinic for professional fluoride application. Many dentists offer this treatment for kids, especially when visiting for a routine dental check-up. Some dentist would even offer free fluoride application on top of other dental procedures so as to help your child feel at ease with the dentist. The fluoride application will serve as prevention from any tooth-related problems. As the famous line goes, “prevention is better than cure.”
