Fluoride for kids

Photo By Staff Sgt. Aubrey White | U.S. Airmen assigned to the 633rd Dental Squadron assist children with donning sterile attire typically used at a dentist’s office Langley Air Force Base, Va., Feb. 23, 2016. The dentists used interactive learning to help the children become more comfortable about visiting the dentist. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Aubrey White)  

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, VA, UNITED STATES

02.24.2016

Courtesy Story

Joint Base Langley-Eustis

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. - Many parents are proud when they see their child’s first pearly white tooth, even when they know the struggles that come with teething season are is right around the corner. With new teeth come new responsibilities, so how can parents best protect children’s teeth from decay (cavities) and help the developing adult teeth?

As February marks Children’s Dental Health month, 633rd Dental Squadron staff wants to bring attention to improving the dental health of children.

Children can get cavities, but how prevalent are they?
About one in every five children ages 5 to 11 years old have at least one untreated decayed tooth, making cavities one of the most common chronic conditions of childhood in the United States. Untreated tooth decay can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing and learning.

Children and toothpaste
Previously, the American Dental Association (ADA) stated that parents should brush their child’s teeth with water and to consult a dentist about using fluoridated toothpaste; however, because fluoride is so effective against fighting cavities, the ADA now recommends parents use a smear of fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first tooth comes in until age three. Then, from 3-6 years of age, parents should brush their children’s teeth with a pea-sized amount. The ADA stressed the difference in this amount because a pea-sized portion doubles the amount of fluoride versus a smear of toothpaste. Thus, children under three will benefit from the fluoride exposure but will not ingest too much fluoride.

What’s in water?
Most cities in the U.S. add fluoride to the water to help build strong teeth. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has recommended the optimal fluoride level in community water systems is 0.7 milligrams per liter. This small amount goes a long way to help reduce cavities in children – by about 25 percent. Simply encouraging your child to drink water every day helps reduce the chance of developing cavities.

How much is too much?
Fluoride is great at fighting children’s cavities, but too much fluoride can affect the appearance of their teeth during development. If a child ingests too much fluoride from food, water, toothpaste or by other means, they can develop what is called fluorosis. Fluorosis is a physical change in the tooth enamel which can range from minimal white spots to staining and pitting in more severe forms; however, this only occurs if a child ingests too much fluoride over a long period of time when the teeth are developing under the gums. By following the smear versus pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste guidelines, this will balance the amount of fluoride the child consumes.

Because of the role that teeth play in a person’s life, practicing good dental hygiene is of utmost importance. For more information, schedule an appointment with a local dentist and visit ada.org.

• Date Taken: 02.24.2016
• Date Posted: 02.26.2016 14:32
• Story ID: 190266
• Location: LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, VA, US