Q&A Pediatric Dentistry: Benefits of Fluoride

Fluoride is not “necessary,” however, it is very beneficial in helping prevent cavities. The American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and an abundance of scientific studies & research recommend fluoride as an extremely beneficial and safe way of preventing cavities. The use of fluoride in public water sources to help prevent & reduce cavities has been called one of the “Top Ten Greatest Health Achievements of the 20th Century” by the Center for Disease Control. Fluoride is used as a preventative measure to help prevent the formation of new cavities as well as help reduce the rate of growth of existing cavities. From a preventative standpoint, a healthy diet in conjunction with good oral hygiene habits are the only other measures that can routinely keep cavities from forming on your child’s teeth. As your child’s teeth start erupting, you can begin using fluoridated toothpaste when brushing with an amount about the size of a grain of rice (for children 3 years of age and below) in order to minimize the amount that is swallowed. As your child gets older and is able to predictably spit out the excess toothpaste after brushing, a pea-sized amount can be used for children 3 to 6 years of age. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the American Dental Association recommend fluoridated toothpaste for all children. To maximize the benefits of fluoride toothpaste, brushing should be supervised and performed twice daily. In addition, rinsing with water after brushing should be kept to a minimum or eliminated completely. If parents choose to not use fluoride, brushing should still be performed to continuously remove all plaque and debris from the child’s teeth. There are toothpastes available that do not contain fluoride as well as toothpastes that contain other minerals such as calcium and phosphate to help keep your child’s teeth strong. Most adult and child toothpastes do contain fluoride, however, they are “training” toothpastes for children that do not and are used to help your child become acclimated to the brushing process. Your child should have their first dental appointment when they receive their first tooth which is typically around 6 months of age or at the latest by their first birthday.

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