Fluoride for Babies: Is It Safe?

When teeth are still beginning to emerge, fluoride develops the enamel so that it becomes as hard as it needs to be to resist cavities and decay. The Indian Dental Association recommends that it is important to clean your baby’s mouth in the first few days after birth. You can do that by wiping the gums using a clean washcloth or moist gauze pad. Once their teeth come in, follow these guidelines:

• Toothpaste with fluoride: For children younger than three years, parents and caregivers should begin brushing children’s teeth as soon as they come into the mouth in an amount no more than a smear (the size of a grain of rice). For children 3 to 6 years old a pea-sized amount can be used.
• Mouthwash with fluoride: Add this extra cavity-fighting power into their routine, best for use after age six.
• Fluoride supplements: Taken as tablets or drops, they are prescribed by a doctor and a great alternative for kids living in areas without sufficient levels of water fluoridation.
• Topical fluoride applications: Gels or varnishes are routine procedures for most children during their dental check-up appointments. Varnishes are easier to apply to the teeth of younger children, allowing treatments to begin at an early age.

To prevent a condition called Fluorosis have your child spit out the toothpaste as soon as they are able to do so. Accidentally ingesting too much fluoride while the teeth are still developing can cause non-serious discolouration or pitting of the enamel. Learn more about pediatric guidelines for toothpaste.

After teeth have appeared in the mouth, fluoride in toothpaste, mouthwash and even tap water helps the enamel remain strong so that it can resist the acid produced by oral bacteria when you eat sugary foods. Children are more susceptible to cavities because the enamel on baby teeth is more sensitive than the enamel on permanent teeth. However, permanent teeth are sensitive at first, too. When they break through, their enamel has not yet fully hardened. In a research study published on Indian Journal of Dental Research it was observed that fluoride combines with the minerals in enamel to form fluorapatite, which makes the enamel stronger against acids.

Fluoride is a natural mineral. So how can you make sure you're providing the right amount of fluoride for children in your family? The best way is to simply turn on the tap and drink a glass of water. Fluoride added to community water supplies has been a safe and effective way to prevent tooth decay for over 70 years. According to a research study published in the International Journal of Scientific and Innovative Research, fluoridation of community drinking water to prevent dental caries is considered as one of the ten most important public health achievements of the 20th century. Its widespread success is due to the fact that it's an easy means of delivering fluoride to all people within a community, regardless of age, income, education or access to dental care.

Does your family prefer bottled water or filters? Not all packaged bottled water contains fluoride so you may be missing out on cavity-fighting benefits. Additionally, home water filters may remove this helpful mineral from the tap. According to the ADA, drinking water with fluoride helps prevent tooth decay, but if you use a home water filter and bottle your own water, you may be removing the fluoride from your tap water, therefore you should use water filters that do not remove fluoride from tap water.

Every parent hopes their child will grow up with healthy teeth and a beautiful smile. One of the best ways to ensure your children will have cavity-free teeth is to follow your dentist's recommendations for fluoride use.