• Home
  • About Us
    • About Dr. Soo Jun
    • About Dr. Grace Jung
    • Our Office
    • Our Team
    • Our Policies
  • First Visit
  • Services
    • Check Up Pediatric Dentistry
    • Preventive Pediatric Dentistry
    • Restorative and Cosmetic Pediatric Dentistry
    • Behavior Management Pediatric Dentistry
    • Laughing Gas Sedation Pediatric Dentistry
    • Conscious Sedation Pediatric Dentistry
    • Hospital Pediatric Dentistry
  • Contact
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Dr. Soo Jun
    • About Dr. Grace Jung
    • Our Office
    • Our Team
    • Our Policies
  • First Visit
  • Services
    • Check Up Pediatric Dentistry
    • Preventive Pediatric Dentistry
    • Restorative and Cosmetic Pediatric Dentistry
    • Behavior Management Pediatric Dentistry
    • Laughing Gas Sedation Pediatric Dentistry
    • Conscious Sedation Pediatric Dentistry
    • Hospital Pediatric Dentistry
  • Contact

Mint Kids Dentistry Blog

Why is Fluoride Important for Your Kid’s Dental Health?

3/1/2016

 
Picture
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is the ionic form of the element fluorine, a naturally-occurring substance. When combined with other elements like sodium, fluoride ions form a compound called sodium fluoride, which is the active ingredient in many toothpaste.

Fluoride works in many ways to prevent tooth cavities and decay. For children, it is important for tooth development because fluoride combines into the crystals forming the enamel, which is the hard outer layer of the teeth. Development of the enamel happens in children up to the age of 8, when the teeth is growing under the gums. Fluoride in the enamel makes the teeth resistant to demineralization.

How Does Fluoride Protect Your Child’s Dental Health?
Fluoride has many caries-protective actions. When applied topically, it has been found that low levels of fluoride in saliva and plaque prevent demineralization of tooth enamel and boost enamel by replacing nutrients. Fluoride also prevents development of dental cavities by inhibiting the activity of cariogenic bacteria – the specific bacteria that causes caries.

Certain types of bacteria in our oral cavity break down the carbs we eat and along the process, they produce acid which causes lowering of pH in the mouth. When this happens, the enamels begins to break down and release minerals such as phosphate, calcium and fluoride (this is called demineralization).

If there is sufficient fluoride available on the teeth’s surface, it will alleviate the process before tooth decay occurs. In fact, it can remineralize tiny areas affected by decay. Such cycles of remineralisation and demineralization continue all throughout the life of a healthy tooth.

Aside from tooth remineralisation and remodelling, fluoride also protects the teeth with its direct antibacterial effect. When fluoride ions enters the bacterial cells, they inhibit the enzyme responsible for the production of acid.

On the other hand, high levels of fluoride, particularly those applied as varnishes or topical gels, provide a temporary covering of calcium fluoride-like element on the surface of the enamel.

Fluoride that is swallowed, such in the case of dietary supplements and fluoridated water, may provide benefits on erupted teeth. Fluoride supplementation is effective in lowering prevalence of caries and must be considered for kids who are at high risk of dental caries because of drinking fluoride-deficient water.

Picture
How Much Fluoride Do Kids Need?
The amount of fluoride will be based on the child’s age. Sufficient levels of ingested fluoride are usually obtained through dietary sources, particularly if the child is living in a place with fluoridated water. However, children below the age of 2 must not receive any form of topical fluoride as they have the tendency to swallow them.

Between the ages of 2 and 6, children must use toothpaste that contains children’s strength amount of fluoride. Brushing must also be supervised by the parents to make sure they will only use a pea-size amount and then spit it out when finished.

Brushing twice a day is important. It will not only get rid of dental plaque, it will also make sure that the teeth are protected to fluoride. Topical fluoride sources such as gels, rinses and varnishes but be sure to consult your pediatric dentist first to know if these are suitable for your child.


    Author

    Mint Kids Dentistry

    Archives

    July 2021
    June 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    July 2020
    April 2020
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

    Categories

    All
    Flossing

    RSS Feed

Location

What Our Patients Are Saying

★★★★★
"Literally THE best kids dentistry EVER!!! If you want to have your kids' teeth checked out and have a blast time for them, then look no further. I don't do positive reviews because I feel that I pay for the service anyways but I must say, this placed is awesome for both kids and the parents. Highly recommend..”
— YELP user Jy C.

★★★★★
​"I was pretty nervious when my kid mentioned his toothache, because making my kid sit straight is very tall order, let alone when dentist probbing his mouth. Surprisingly, Dr Jun made my kid relaxed and somehow found a way to extract his teeth. My kid went to her again in a week, with no fear for follow up appointment. 

I would recommend her anytime. ”
— YELP user Ebe J.

Contact Us

1500 145th PL SE,
Bellevue, WA 98007
​
Ph: (425) 321 - 0833 
Fax: (425) 310 - 3772
Email: [email protected]
Business Hours
Mon, Wed, Thurs 8:00 - 5:00
Tues, 8:00 - 5:00

Fri (10-4 Administrative Only)
Pediatric Dentistry Blog

Sitemap

Home
About Us
About Dr. Soo Jun
​About Dr. Grace Jung
Our Office
Our Team
​Our Policies
First Visit
New Patient Registration & Medical/Dental History Form
​Forms
Services
Check Up
​Preventive
Behavior Management
Restorative & Cosmetic
Laughing Gas Sedation
Conscious Sedation
Hospital
Forms
Contact
Espanol
Blog

Designed & Managed by JSK

  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Dr. Soo Jun
    • About Dr. Grace Jung
    • Our Office
    • Our Team
    • Our Policies
  • First Visit
  • Services
    • Check Up Pediatric Dentistry
    • Preventive Pediatric Dentistry
    • Restorative and Cosmetic Pediatric Dentistry
    • Behavior Management Pediatric Dentistry
    • Laughing Gas Sedation Pediatric Dentistry
    • Conscious Sedation Pediatric Dentistry
    • Hospital Pediatric Dentistry
  • Contact