Believe it or not, I have never experienced a “cavity”!!
Do any of you remember as a child taking a prescribed ‘pink pill’? If so, then we are from the generation that took the chewable form of a fluoride.
After being a pediatric dentist for over 13 years, my experiences with fluoride goes well beyond my educational training. I’ve learned how essential it is that patients are provided with the explanation of benefits and risks in taking any supplement or medication. In so doing, patients can make an educated decision that promotes optimal health for themself and their family.
How does Fluoride work?
Permanent teeth start to develop and will continue to do so for about 6 years after losing your 1st baby tooth! I currently recommend fluoride varnish which is applied directly to the enamel. Varnish sticks directly to the tooth’s surface minimizing systemic absorption. The recommended dose is one application every 6 months for optimal enamel strength and permanent tooth development. The fluoride breaks down over time into minerals that occur naturally in our body. During this process, fluoride fortifies the enamel.
Are there alternatives?
Alternate sources of fluoride are available from a variety of resources such as:
mouthwash, toothpaste, municipal H2O, prescription gels, tablets, rinses…and so on. These products all contain trace amounts of fluoride.
After the complete development of permanent teeth, these resources are typically sufficient to achieve proper enamel strength!
Fluoride or NO! NOW YOU KNOW 🙂
