How do you fight cavities with fluoride? A point often overlooked is that fluoride is a mineral found in soil, water, and various foods. The natural mineral helps make teeth more resistant to tooth decay.
Fluoride Protects The Tooth Enamel
Tooth enamel is the outer protective layer of each tooth. Fluoride protects tooth enamel by reducing acid-related tooth enamel wear and reducing tooth demineralization. Demineralization is basically, the loss of minerals through tooth enamel, lost when acids from plaque and sugars in the mouth attack the enamel. Also, through demineralization, the tooth’s interior dentin and sensitive root are more exposed.
Fight Cavities: Fluoride Reduces Dental Cavities For High Risk
By making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks, fluoride is helpful for people who are at higher risk of developing dental caries or cavities. Dental cavities happen when bacteria build up on teeth and gums and form a sticky layer of plaque. When plaque starts to form, the acid attacks begin.
Fluoride for Children
If your child is below three years of age, they should use a smear or rice grain sized toothpaste since they cannot spit reliably. You do not have to wipe off or rinse the mouth afterwards. Equally important, only use a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste for children ages three to six years old. After they brush their teeth, ensure they spit the toothpaste out. If you live in an area with fluoridated water, it might not be necessary to use fluoride toothpaste. You can consult your local dentist for more information.
Fight Cavities: Fluoride Recommended Amounts:
Using the fluoridated toothpaste is sufficient for most kids. Most kids do not need fluoride supplement unless they constantly get cavities. The Mayo Clinic recommends the following daily amounts of fluoride: Birth to three years of age: 0.1 to 1.5 milligrams (mg) of fluoride. Ages four to six: 1 to 2.5 mg. of fluoride. Ages seven to ten years: 1.5 to 2.5 mg. of fluoride. Adolescents and adults: 1.5 to 4 mg. of fluoride. Make sure to learn more about Early Cavity Detection.