Fluoride use it or lose it?

Fluoride was found to reduce cavities in the early 1900's & was added in small doses to the water in the U.S. in areas that it was not naturally found. 

Fluoride, in appropriate dosages, for the appropriate patient, is great at preventing cavities. Using a fluoridated toothpaste starting at age 2 will help protect your children from cavities if they are at a moderate to high risk for cavities.  

Check with your city or town about the level of fluoride in your water as some towns have removed it. If you do not have fluoride in your water, you will still get fluoride from secondary sources, such as canned foods or restaurants, check with your pediatric dentist if they recommend at home fluoride toothpaste or in office fluoride varnish at cleaning visits. 

Fluoride has been proven to be safe & effective when used properly, topically and appropriately for a patients need and risk level. 

There are no conclusive scientific studies that have shown that topical fluoride used in a dental setting twice a years will have any adverse effects. Fluoride is a naturally occurring element found in the soil & water.

Each child has their own unique needs based on their health and risk factors!

#1 Drink more water
Most juices & flavored milk contain more sugar than soda. "Cutting" juice with water has not proved to reduce sugar enough to prevent cavities. Stick with water &  milk & you will significantly reduce your child's sugar intake.

#2 Brush twice a day & Floss at night
Certainly not novel ground breaking information, but sometimes we need to create environments at home to help us stay on track! Using an electric toothbrush will remove considerably more plaque than a manual toothbrush & there are some great children's brushes on the market. Keep floss sticks in clear jars on the bathroom counter so we remember to floss! 

#3 Find a pediatric dentist by age 1
Even if your child has only a few teeth, find a dental office to call home. Children that start coming at very young age become less afraid every visit, & by the time they are late toddler stage they even enjoy it! This will also provide you with an emergency contact if your little one takes a tumble & bumps their teeth or any other unforeseen issues arise. 

#4 Eat more whole foods
It certainly is less time consuming & cheaper to grab a bag of this or box of that for family meals. Most of us do not have the luxury of staying home to churn butter & mill flour, nor can endure the cost of weekly Whole Foods visits. But there are some easy rules you can follow that will make a difference, try to stay in the perimeters of the grocery store. If the product has a list of ingredients you cannot pronounce or have to look up in google, good idea to skip it, and try alternative options. Try swapping out flavored, sugar-packed yogurt for plain whole milk yogurt & add berries & local honey to sweeten it up! Dehydrated fruit, like apple chips is healthier than gummies and still a sweet + easy grab and go alternative! 

#5 Bottle and breast feeding when teeth are fully erupted
If your child is feeding at will & throughout the night, their teeth are consistently covered in milk, which has natural sugars in it,  this can lead to cavities over time.  Just simply keep a wet cloth or tooth wipes close by & gently wipe their teeth after feeding & keep with brushing 2x day!