Pros And Cons of Fluoride For Your Kids’ Teeth

You must have heard people saying that fluoride is an essential mineral for strong and healthy teeth. Most children’s dentists in Edmonton suggest that fluoride toothpaste the size of a pea is recommended for children ages 3 to 6 years old. Why is it so? Why not more than pea-size? And why is fluoride even recommended?

If you have these questions in your mind like most parents across the globe do, we will answer them all for you in this article.

Pros for Fluoride for Kids’ Teeth

The use of fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash for older kids is advisable due to the antibacterial properties of fluoride. The same amount of fluoride is available in the drinking water supplied in Edmonton.

Fluoride Fights Against Decays

The most common reason why children’s dentists in Edmonton suggest fluoridated toothpaste for children is because fluoride fights against bacteria. Fluoride inhibits the growth of harmful oral bacteria and further prevent cavities, decays, and other harmful dental problems.

Fluoride Attracts Calcium

The presence of fluoride in your children’s mouth can attract essential minerals such as calcium to their teeth. You already know that calcium is good for your kids’ bones and helps maintain your teeth with a strong and healthy structure.

Fluoride Rebuilds Tooth Enamel

In case your child’s tooth was affected due to an injury or accident, and it affected their tooth enamel, fluoride can be of help. Fluoride has remineralizing properties. This means that regulated use of fluoridated toothpaste and intake of fluoride-rich water will help to restore tooth enamel and the overall tooth structure.

Cons of Fluoride for Kids’ Teeth

Excessive exposure to fluoride has been linked to a number of health issues.

Fluoride Can Cause Dental Fluorosis

Overuse of fluoride, whether in the form of a toothpaste or drinking water, can lead to the development of tiny white streaks or spots in the enamel of teeth. Excessive fluoride could also lead to mottled teeth. All these are nothing but the symptoms of dental fluorosis.

Fluoride Can Cause Skeletal Fluorosis

Excessive intake or exposure to fluoride in the early years of your kids’ lives can result in long-term issues. It can lead to a bone disease known as skeletal fluorosis, which causes bones to become rigid and brittle. This, in turn, can contribute to impaired joint mobility. Over many years, this can result in pain and damage to bones and joints.

Too much of anything can be too bad. But it’s hard to say how much is too much as it’s nearly impossible to track your children’s fluoride consumption because it comes from so many sources. But you can talk to children’s dentists in Edmonton to find out which things your kids must avoid or cut down on.