How to Prevent Dental Fluorosis in Your Children

Dental fluorosis is defined as "a change in the appearance of the tooth's enamel". The changes can range from "mild" to "severe". Mild fluorosis creates white spots on the teeth. Severe fluorosis causes stains and pitting. This type of damage happens when young children- age 8 and younger- consume too much fluoride over a long period of time when they're teeth are forming. While fluoride helps prevent tooth decay, consuming too much of it can cause an adverse effect. Read this informative article and find out how to prevent dental fluorosis in your children

Prevention-
1. When your child gets their first tooth, brush it gently with a child-sized, soft-bristled toothbrush and water.

2. Check with his/her dentist to get their recommendation before you start your children on fluoridated toothpaste. 2 years old is the typical age. When the dentist gives you the greenlight, choose a toothpaste that doesn't come in appealing flavors that can make them to swallow it. Wet their brush, then place a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste on it for each use. Gently brush their teeth. Stop occasionally and instruct them to spit the toothpaste out. Swallowing toothpaste contributes to dental fluorosis. If your child doesn't understand the concept of spitting yet, wipe out the fluoride toothpaste with clean, damp cloth. Brushing twice a day is sufficient.

When your child has a sufficient amount of manual dexterity, they can brush their own teeth. Apply a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste on the brush for them. Supervise their brushing and remind them to spit the toothpaste out, and not swallow it.

3. Your child's dentist may recommend that s/he use a fluoride mouth rinse, especially if they are at a high risk for cavities. Poor hygiene, lack of nutrition, and genetics all play a part in the risk. Supervise everytime your child uses a mouth rinse. Make sure they don't use too much. And, again, instruct them to spit it out and not swallow it.

If the dentist prescribes a fluoride supplement for your child, talk to him/her about your child's risks of tooth decay, as well as possible risks of dental fluorosis. Fluoride supplements shouldn't be used if your drinking water is fluoridated.

Note: Supervise children who are younger than 6 years old when they are using dental products that contain fluoride to prevent dental fluorosis.

Remember-

Your child's teeth can benefit from fluoride. Fluoride comes from toothpaste, mouth rinses, supplements, some drinking water, and beverages and foods that are processed with fluoridated water.

It's swallowing toothpaste and other dental products that can increase the proper amount of fluoride

they need that causes dental fluorosis.

Resources

http://answers.hhs.gov/questions/8100

http://www.cdc.gov/print.do?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Ffluoridation%2Fsafety%2Fdental_fluorosis.htm

http://users.forthnet.gr/ath/abyss/Dental-Fluorosis.htm