You want the best for your child, right? When it comes to oral healthcare, everyone has their own opinion on what’s good for your son or daughter and what isn’t. You may have heard about fluoride before from your dentist, but what is it? Is it safe to give to your loved one? Of course! This natural cavity-fighting mineral can protect your child’s teeth. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of fluoride from an expert children’s dentist in Greenfield.
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens your teeth and makes them more resistant to acid. It can even reverse very early signs of tooth decay. Without the protection of fluoride, your teeth are at higher risk of cavities and decay. Because children are even more susceptible to cavities and not as good at maintaining oral health as adults, fluoride is great to give them an extra layer of protection.
Most toothpastes, mouthwash, and even tap water have fluoride in them, but your dentist can also provide fluoride treatment in their office. Especially if your son or daughter is prone to cavities, your dentist in Greenfield will recommend fluoride treatment. Some dentists cite fluoride as one of the most important ways that you as a parent can help protect your loved one’s teeth.
How Can My Child Receive Fluoride?
As mentioned above, fluoride can be found in a lot of different products. Interestingly enough, many communities added fluoride into their public water supply in the 1940’s to combat the increasing amounts of cavities and decay. So, if you and your child prefer bottled water to tap, just check the ingredients label to make sure that it still features this cavity-fighting mineral.
You can also buy toothpaste and mouthwash that contains fluoride. That way, you can teach your child the importance of a good brushing and flossing routine without adding another step for them to worry about.
Last but not least, your dentist can provide your son or daughter with a tray to put in their mouth that topically treats them with fluoride, or they can even paint it on. Ask your dentist about whether or not your loved one could benefit from a fluoride treatment.
Now that you know more about fluoride and the benefits it can bring your child, put some fluoridated products on your next shopping list to decrease your kid’s risk of cavities. This means less money spent on restoring their teeth as well as a healthy set of pearly whites.
About the Practice
At Bagley, Goodwin, and Hrinda, we have a team of 3 dentists who have a combined experience of over 70 years. They enjoy helping patients of all ages and seeing children show off their smiles. For any questions, they can be contacted through their website or by phone at (413) 772-0842.