The importance of Fluoride to your teeth
Your tooth enamel is made up of closely packed mineral crystals. This enamel is the outermost layer of the tooth. Everyday, minerals are lost and gained. This process is called demineralization and remineralisation.
During demineralisation, the acids in the mouth dissolve the enamel crystals that make up the outer layer of the tooth. The acids that dissolve these enamel crystals are made up of plaque bacteria and sugar in your mouth. On the other hand, remineralisation balances the loss of enamel. In this process, minerals such as fluoride, calcium, and phosphate are deposited inside the enamel. If demineralization is greater than remineralisation then there will be tooth decay.
Fluoride helps with your teeth in two ways. Indirectly, when children eat or drink fluoride in small doses, it enters the bloodstream and becomes part of their developing permanent teeth. This indirect approach will also make it harder for acids to cause demineralization. Directly, fluoride can work on the teeth themselves in the mouths of children and adults. This helps speed up remineralisation and disrupts the production of acids by bacteria.
What are some fluoride treatments?
Fluoride found in foods, supplements, and water will enter the bloodstream through the stomach. From the stomach, fluoride will be absorbed into the body. In children, the fluoride becomes available to the teeth that are developing in the jaw.
Fluoride found in topical products is applied directly to the teeth. They are toothpaste, mouth rinses, and professionally applied fluoride treatments. Topical fluoride treatments are in the mouth for a short time however these fluoride levels in the mouth will remain high for several hours afterwards. Fluoride found in water and in food products works this way too. When water washes over the teeth, some of the fluoride remains in the saliva.
Fluoride treatments are given at the dental office. They are applied in gel form, foam, or varnish. The fluoride used for these treatments have a higher concentration and strength as compares to toothpastes and mouthwashes.
Fluoride supplements are available by prescription. They are reserved for children who live in areas where the water does not have enough fluoride. Children who need these supplements receive them from ages six months to sixteen years.
Who needs these fluoride supplements?
Children between the ages of six months and sixteen years old who do not drink fluoridated water must take fluoride supplements. They are available as liquids for younger children and available as tablets for older ones. Your paediatrician or your dentist can prescribe them.
All children must use fluoridated toothpaste. If your children are younger than six then you must be cautious on how they use it. Young children are more likely to swallow the toothpaste after brushing instead of spitting the used toothpaste out. You must encourage your children to spit out the toothpaste as much as possible. Also, you can avoid using flavoured toothpaste that encourages the children to swallow it.
If your children have a history of cavities or have a high risk of decay then you should consider using additional fluoride. This promotes remineralisation. You can use fluoride mouth rinses for children over the age of six. They are found in the mouthwash sections of stores.
Your dentist can prescribe fluoride rinses and gels if your children need higher levels of fluoride. You must carefully supervise your children when they use fluoride products and you must keep fluoride out of reach of young children.
Can fluoride be harmful?
Just like other compounds, fluoride is safe and effective when you use it properly. However, it can be hazardous in high doses. All water-fluoridation systems are checked on a daily basis in order to maintain safe levels of fluoride. Moreover, as a parent, you should also check the use of all fluoride products at home. Fluoride supplement tablets must be stored in a place far from young children. These supplements are taken on a daily basis in small quantities. Doses can range from a quarter of a milligram to a milligram per day depending on the child's age and the amount of fluoride in the water.
Dentists limit the amount of tablets they prescribe at one time in order to reduce the risk of overdosing. You can also avoid the chances of overdose by limiting the amount of fluoride tablets that you have in stock. You can talk to your dentist about more fluoride risks if you have any further questions or inquiries.
Weight determines the toxicity of fluoride in a person. For example, for a two year old child weighing twenty two pounds, the toxic dose is three hundred and twenty milligrams. For an eight year old child weighing forty five pounds, six hundred and fifty five milligrams is the toxic overdose.
Comparing these figures, an eight ounce glass of water fluoridated to one part per million has only a quarter of a milligram in fluoride. Since these fluoride products are taken in very minute amounts, it is very rare to receive toxic doses of fluoride products at home.