• Our Practice
  • Categories
    • Oral Health = Whole Body Health
    • Common Dental Issues & Procedures
    • Consumer Guides & Information
    • Cosmetic Dentistry & Teeth Whitening
    • Implant Dentistry
    • News/PR
    • Orthodontics, Braces, & Invisalign
    • Pediatric Dentistry & Children
    • Uncategorized
  • Book An Appointment
LOOKING FOR A GREAT DENTIST IN THE CHICAGOLAND AREA? START HERE!
1st Family Dental Blog1st Family Dental Blog
  • Our Practice
  • Categories
    • Oral Health = Whole Body Health
    • Common Dental Issues & Procedures
    • Consumer Guides & Information
    • Cosmetic Dentistry & Teeth Whitening
    • Implant Dentistry
    • News/PR
    • Orthodontics, Braces, & Invisalign
    • Pediatric Dentistry & Children
    • Uncategorized
  • Book An Appointment

Is Fluoride Bad for Toddlers?

Home Consumer Guides & InformationIs Fluoride Bad for Toddlers?
is fluoride bad for toddlers? 1st Family Dental - Chicago dentist

Is Fluoride Bad for Toddlers?

April 18, 2017 Consumer Guides & Information, Pediatric Dentistry & Children
FacebookTwitter

A lot of parents want to know “is fluoride bad for toddlers“?

Following a change in guidelines from the American Dental Association a few years ago, the question whether fluoride toothpaste is safe for young children continues to circulate among parents and dentists.

For years, the ADA recommended that parents wait until age 2 to start using fluoride toothpaste with their children. However, that recommendation changed in February 2014, when the organization said parents can begin using a “smear” of fluoride toothpaste as soon as teeth begin to show.

Why would the ADA change its mind after decades of a standard policy? What does it mean for your children?

Is Fluoride Bad for Toddlers?

A Little Background on Fluoride

Fluoride is an effective way to prevent and even reverse the early signs of tooth decay. It makes the tooth structure stronger, so teeth are more resistant to acid attacks.

Many of us take in fluoride naturally through the water we drink, but not all parts of the country require that fluoride be part of the drinking water, and more and more families are choosing bottled water, which in most cases does not contain fluoride like tap water does.

Groups like ADA have long recommended brushing teeth and seeing a dentist as early as age 1, but parents tend to be undereducated in this area or they give in to toddlers who do not like brushing their teeth.

New Research on Fluoride

The 2014 change by the American Dental Association brought its recommendation in line with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, which has long suggested the use of fluoride toothpaste as soon as teeth begin to show.

The change also came after research showing an increase in cavities among preschool age children noted by the Centers for Disease Control. In some cases, the problem was so bad that children needed to be placed under general anesthesia to have cavities filled in half of their baby teeth or more.

The hope is that introducing fluoride toothpaste into the equation earlier will help reduce the number of cavities in young children. The ADA recommends that children spit out the toothpaste after it’s applied to their teeth to avoid developing fluorosis, a condition that results in a tooth’s enamel changing color due to too much fluoride exposure. Of course, this is easier said than done with a small child. Starting early and reinforcing good habits will help put them on a path toward success.

In some cases fluoride exposure has also been linked to ADHD and other neurological conditions when too much of it is ingested. Swallowing toothpaste here and there is not a big deal, but over time it could lead to more serious problems if the habit is not corrected.

What’s Best for Your Child

Still wondering “is fluoride bad for toddlers“? Even though baby teeth do eventually come out, it can be years before that happens so it’s important to get cavities taken care of at a young age. The pain associated with cavities can often be mistaken for teething; don’t let that deter you from taking your child to a dentist as soon as he or she starts talking about any kind of mouth pain.

As far as fluoride, the key is finding the right balance between getting your child enough of it to prevent tooth decay and using so much that it puts him or her at risk for other issues.

Before deciding on whether to start using fluoride toothpaste, you should understand how much fluoride your child is already getting. Do you have it in your drinking water? If you don’t know the answer to that question, a water test or call to your local water authority can help you find it.

Diet is another factor to consider. If your child enjoys soda or other sugary snacks, a little extra fluoride may be necessary to combat the effects sugar can have on young teeth.

If you are still in doubt, be sure to ask your dentist at your next checkup. Your dentist will examine your child’s teeth and take into consideration environmental factors before making an informed decision about whether you should begin using fluoride toothpaste with your toddler.

book appointment online - 1st Family Dental

Join Us In the Comments!

Have a question or want to know more about is fluoride bad for toddlers? Join us in the comments below!

Leave a comment
Share

You also might be interested in

1st Family Dental Does The Harlem Shake!

Feb 27, 2013

FacebookTwitter Who says going to the dentist can’t be fun?[...]

Patient Undergoing a Procedure

Highlights from our Free Dental Care Days in the Suburbs

Mar 11, 2013

FacebookTwitter 1st Family Dental gave patients an extra reason to[...]

Free Dental Care Day at 1st Family Dental of Logan Square

Mar 14, 2013

FacebookTwitter On Wednesday, March 13, 1st Family Dental hosted its[...]

5 Comments

Leave your reply.
  • Aloha Dental Care
    · Reply

    September 14, 2017 at 3:27 PM

    some great information, especially regarding the possibility of fluorisis in children.

  • Dental Office of Dr. Nicholas S. St. George D.D.S.
    · Reply

    September 12, 2017 at 1:49 PM

    The use of fluoridation and the exposure to fluoride outside of dental use has been a controversial topic. We encourage our patients to find other opinions and studies.

  • Kolona Chaido
    · Reply

    August 24, 2017 at 8:30 PM

    If a toddler has a daily dental hygiene there is no need to get fluoride, at least not at the first year of his life. After the first year a consult from a dentist would be helpful if fluoride could help.

  • M Dental
    · Reply

    May 3, 2017 at 4:55 AM

    yes it helps.

  • Dr. Laura Bridges
    · Reply

    April 20, 2017 at 11:40 PM

    Yes,being a dentist I must say that Fluoride does help to reduce tooth decay. Fluoride vitamins help strengthen teeth that are being formed. But still have any dilemma regarding flouride, one must consult with their nearby dentist.

Leave a Reply

Comment
Cancel Reply

blog.1stamilydental

1st Family Dental offers a full range of general, specialty dental and orthodontic services for the whole family. With online appointment booking and several convenient locations in and around Chicago IL, taking care of your dental health needs for you and your family couldn’t be easier.

OUR CHICAGO DENTAL CLINICS

Albany Park
Andersonville
Little Village
Logan Square
Old Town
Pulaski Ave.

OUR SUBURBAN DENTAL CLINICS

View our locations in the Chicago, IL Suburbs here

For Press Inquiries

Please contact:
Vicky Khawaja
vicky@1fd.org
(773) 294-0378

All logos, text, and images subject to terms of use and privacy policy. Click Here to download our logo.

1st Family Dental © 2023 · Privacy Policy · Internet Marketing Services by Conversion Strategies, Inc.

Prev Next