Oral health for children
When it comes to oral health for children, there is one thing that stands out together with brushing and flossing – and that’s fluoride. Found in a wide variety of plants, this mineral is often added into your water supply to ensure everyone gets a healthy dose.
Fluoride helps teeth fight tooth decay in three very important ways:
• While teeth are growing, it helps strengthen the developing enamel.
• If your teeth have very early stage tooth decay, fluoride helps to repair the damage.
• When fluoride is present on your teeth, the bacteria that causes tooth decay produce less plaque, reducing decay.
As a result, topical fluoride is especially important for children between 6 months and 16 years old whose teeth are still growing, as developing strong enamel at an early age helps to build a lifetime of great oral health.
It is because of this that fluoride treatments from your children’s dentist should be included on a regular schedule, especially when your child’s permanent teeth are coming in. This treatment involves a concentrated, gel-like substance that is applied to his or her teeth – it’s a completely comfortable process that gives your child’s oral health a great boost. New application methods now allow rinsing and eating right afterwards.