Should My Child Get Regular Fluoride Treatment?

Your child’s overall dental health is at its best when they have no teeth or gum issues. Pediatricians suggest good dental habits for your children even before their first teeth erupt. After your child’s teeth are fully grown, they recommend fluoride varnish treatment to prevent tooth decay. This treatment is done two to four times a year. The treatment entirely depends on the time your child is affected by cavities. 

Let’s dive deep into this subject and understand the need and impact of fluoride treatment for your child’s teeth.

What Is Fluoride Treatment?

Fluoride treatment cures the child’s teeth of tooth decay by either slowing it down or stopping it from getting worse. It is done with a mineral called fluoride that could strengthen the tooth enamel. Thus, it protects your child’s teeth from cavities.

Is Fluoride Treatment Safe?

Yes, fluoride treatment is a safe treatment for your child’s tooth decay. It is used by all dentists or pediatricians all over the world. Dentists use a small amount of it and ensure that the child does not swallow it during the treatment. It is first applied and allowed to harden on your child’s teeth. Then, they brush it off after four or 12 hours.

Preventive Measures After Applying the Fluoride

After the dentist applies fluoride to your child’s teeth, they would advise you to follow certain instructions:

• Though they could eat and drink after the fluoride treatment, limit it to soft, cool, or warm foods or drinks.
• Avoid brushing or flossing their teeth for the next four to six hours. Wait till morning to start with brushing and flossing and ask them to spit after rinsing their mouth.

Steps for Good Oral Health

The following steps should be followed by your child regularly:

• A regular checkup by pediatricians
• Getting a regular fluoride treatment
• Regularly brushing and flossing teeth twice a day
• Maintaining a healthy diet

The American Academy of Pediatricians suggests that all infants should receive oral health risk assessment from the age of six months. Pediatricians are trained to do fluoride treatment to young children as they do not see or access a dentist till a certain age. However, the whole process of fluoride treatment is done in the dentist’s office. Every child needs to have a dental treatment established by the age of twelve months.  

Get expert pediatric dental care from the Dentist of Miami and Orthodontics. If you want to know more or to schedule an appointment, call us at (305) 290-4999, book online, or visit us at 15790 SW 56th St, Miami, FL 33185.