Do Dentists Recommend Fluoride Toothpaste For Babies & Toddlers?
Fluoride is a natural mineral found in foods, soil, water, and throughout the environment. For several years it has been added to oral care products due to its benefits in dental health. One of its advantages in dental health is preventing tooth decay and even reversing it if detected early.
However, since children are more prone to teeth cavities, they must use fluoride toothpaste as they brush and even have topical fluoride treatments by the dentist near you. At the general dentistry in Modesto, the dental team assists parents in safely using fluoride for their kids.
Is Fluoride Toothpaste Safe?
When you brush your kid’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste for the recommended two minutes, their teeth receive extra fortification against decay. However, some parents have heard of the undesirable effects of fluorine and are resistant to using toothpaste that contains this element on their baby’s and toddler’s teeth.
It is important to note that fluoride is only unsafe when ingested in large amounts. However, when consumed in excess over a long period, fluoride may cause dental Fluorosis. Fluorosis is a condition where the color and appearance of the tooth enamel change.
However, parents should not worry as the American Dental Association recognizes fluoride to be safe in effectively preventing dental decay for people of all ages.
Toothpaste made for toddlers and babies is flavored to taste good, giving them the desire to swallow it when brushing. Therefore, to prevent such a case, you need to supervise your kids when they clean their teeth, so they do not ingest too much toothpaste.
You should also control the amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush. Keep the toothpaste away from your child’s reach as the pleasant flavors may tempt the child to eat it and suffer from diarrhea or abdominal pains.
Seek a dentist’s recommendation on your child’s fluoride intake. The dentist in Modesto will assess your child’s teeth to detect enamel deficiencies and risk of dental decay then determine the amount of fluoride needed.
The dentist will recommend suitable fluoride toothpaste and oral care products customized for your child. You will also receive advice on the amounts to use and how to ensure that your kids grow up cavity-free.
Safe Ways to Use Fluoride Toothpaste on the Teeth of Babies and Toddlers
Tooth decay can affect children as soon as their first two teeth erupt. Therefore, it is essential to brush tiny teeth with fluoridated toothpaste to remain healthy and cavity-free. Ensure that the toothpaste does not have intense flavors or tastes.
The dentist in Modesto will recommend fluoridated baby toothpaste suitable for babies based on their age and dental health needs. Babies and toddlers require only a grain-sized amount of toothpaste to clean their teeth.
Use an extra-soft bristled toothbrush to brush the baby’s teeth twice every day gently. Dab the toothpaste right on the teeth, then brush. Since the baby won’t spit out the toothpaste, recline her head, so the paste comes out of her mouth.
After brushing, give your child a baby bottle or cup with some water.
Although toddlers may want to take over brushing their teeth and mimic what the older kids or parents are doing, supervise them constantly. Please do not give your toddler water to rinse their mouth after brushing as they will drink it and ingest the fluoride toothpaste since they have not yet learned how to spit it out.
At the age of three, you may increase the amount of toothpaste to a pea-sized amount.
Advantages of Fluoride Toothpaste
• It prevents tooth decay and cavities.
• Fluoride toothpaste helps to strengthen the weak areas of the tooth enamel by decreasing demineralization.
• The toothpaste repairs tooth damage caused by corrosive acids in the mouth and reverses early tooth decay.
• It inhibits cavity-causing bacteria from growing and bacterial acid from being produced in the mouth. These oral bacteria attack and break down teeth enamel, causing teeth decay and cavities.
If you are looking for general dentistry where your child’s fluoride needs will be assessed and complete oral care provided, welcome to 123iSmile in Modesto. We offer comprehensive dental care for the whole family.