Fluoride is good for your teeth, right? Right… most of the time.
What is fluoride, anyway? Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in soil and in many sources of water. It is used to fight cavities topically (as toothpaste or mouth wash, for example) and systemically (in drinking water or lozenges, for example). Topical fluoride is very effective in protecting teeth from cavities by helping repair damaged areas. Systemic fluoride may provide protection because it is absorbed into the body itself.
There are lots of big health organizations that believe in the positive impact of fluoride on children and adult teeth — the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the Canadian Dental Association. The stance of these organizations is that the absence of fluoride may leave a child’s teeth unprotected against decay. Tooth decay is a common childhood disease that can be prevented with the proper use of fluoride!
However, overuse of fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis — a condition where the teeth appear mottled, chalky, or even brown. Fluorosis may even damage tooth enamel and cause tooth and mouth pain. Fluorosis is mainly a risk for children under the age of six, because teeth are still developing until that point.
So how do you strike a balance between appropriate amounts of fluoride and going overboard?
- Don’t give a mouthwash or rinse with fluoride to a child under the age of six.
- Monitor the amount of toothpaste your child uses — have your child use only a pea-sized amount.
- Don’t let your child swallow toothpaste. Supervise brushing and rinsing to make sure none is swallowed.
- For children under the age of three, try brushing your child’s teeth without toothpaste.
- Talk to your dentist before using a fluoride toothpaste in children under the age of six.
- Make sure your child gets regular dental check-ups and cleanings.
High levels of fluoride in drinking water — more than two parts per million — may also contribute to the development of fluorosis. Ideally, drinking water should contain no more than 1.2 parts of fluoride per million.