You probably heard of the word “fluoride (ฟลูออไรด์, term in Thai).” It is one of the chemical elements in the periodic table, but this term is mostly heard in the dental setting. Kids are usually the target population for fluoride application for it serves as one of the best ways to protect their teeth from cavities. Hence, the reason why many toothpaste brands are enriched with fluoride. If you are keen to knowing more about fluoride for kids (เคลือบฟลูออไรด์เด็ก, term in Thai), then this article is for you. We will discuss the importance of fluoride in safeguarding oral health.
Significance of fluoride in oral health
One of the most effective ways to prevent the formation of cavities is fluoride treatment. It works best together with dental sealants. Treatments with fluoride are not only effective but also safe way of reducing the possibility of children having cavities in children. When it is combined with dental sealants, it can reduce cavities by up to 95%. Through these preventative efforts, teeth are protected from acid attacks, which are typically caused by sugar and bacteria in the mouth. What the fluoride does is it protects the outer enamel. In turn, it can reverse premature formation of tooth decay. If you are not sure as to whether your child needs a fluoride treatment, it is best to contact your pediatric dentist to determine when the best time for your child to have fluoride treatment is.
Fluoride treatment can greatly decrease tooth decay in children. It is particularly true in children in the high risk category according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Not many parents are familiar about the importance of fluoride treatment for kids. Thus, the reason why many dentists and dental health products stressed the importance of fluoride in their marketing campaigns.
Sufficient and timely application of fluoride ensures that the teeth will receive the kind of protective layer it needs to effectively obstruct acid from destroying the teeth’s enamel layer. The application of fluoride is done in the professional dental setting. It is in the form of dental fluoride varnish. Only a small amount of fluoride is needed to achieve the benefits. A fluoride in gel form is applied on the teeth. Sometimes it is in the form of varnish or foam. It all depends on the discretion of the dentist.
You might be wondering why it is needed to have a fluoride treatment in a professional setting when most oral products such as toothpaste are enriched with fluoride. The fluoride treatment given by dentist has increased fluoride level when compared to what is typically found in commercial products. If your child starts to complain about toothache, it means that the enamel starts to be damaged. So you should always be in the lookout on your child’s oral health. As the famous saying goes, prevention is better than cure. Do not wait for your kids to complain about toothache before you bring them to dentist. Preschoolers and nursery kids must be brought to dentist to have their teeth checked religiously.