Fluoride for Kids in Greeley, CO
Boost your kids’ oral preventative care with fluoride at Greeley Kids Dental
- Reinforce enamel
- Protect against decay
- Make their smile healthier
Why should I give the okay for fluoride treatments?
All of us require certain acids in our daily diet—they’re essential. But it’s an unfortunate truth that there is very little we can do to prevent the inevitable decay that these acids cause. Ultimately, only certain minerals that are also usually found in healthy diets can combat these acids and prevent cavities and decay. Regardless of how well your kids brush and floss, these acids will eventually cause damage without those other minerals.
That’s why we are big fans of flouride. Fluoride builds up key minerals to protect teeth both inside and out. Even better? It’s one of the very best and easiest ways to guard against those damaging acids. At Greeley Kids Dental, we provide regular fluoride treatments to ensure your child’s teeth are covered in the healthy minerals they need!
How Fluoride Helps Teeth Thrive
Fluoride is almost like a secret weapon or super power: it does so much more than protect against cavities (although it’s great at that, too!). We love fluoride treatments for three reasons:
Strengthen Tooth Enamel
Fluoride remineralizes teeth by bonding with the enamel and then attracting calcium and phosphate, which repairs developing weak spots.
Goes Deeper Than Enamel
Cavities happen because bacteria gets into a tooth’s core through a weakness in the enamel. By strengthening enamel, fluoride also protects inside the tooth.
Recommended by Experts
The American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry both recommend fluoride not only for being highly effective in reducing cavities but for being perfectly safe.
“Their dedication to providing top-notch care for our children, including one in braces, has been nothing short of exemplary. Not only do they prioritize our kids’ dental health, but they also go the extra mile to ensure a family-friendly environment that puts everyone at ease. I wholeheartedly recommend Greeley Family Dental and Ortho to anyone in search of a dentist who truly understands the needs of families. With their expert care and attention to detail, our kids always leave their appointments with big, shiny smiles!”
-Sam
But what does fluoride actually do?
We get it—it’s hard to imagine that goopy stuff painted on teeth actually makes a difference. To help, we’ve put together a short guide on what fluoride is and why it’s so beneficial.
So what does fluoride do?
Our tooth enamel is mostly made from calcium and phosphate ions. These elements combine to form hydroxyapatite, strong crystals which make up about 95% of our enamel.
Unfortunately, acids created by the bacteria in plaque and the acids in our daily diets slowly damage the calcium and phosphate ions in enamel over time, weakening the surface of the tooth. This process is called demineralization. Over time, these weak spots in the enamel become bigger as acids eat through enamel to the inner tooth, causing decay and cavities.
The best and safest way to combat these acids is with fluoride!
And how does fluoride do that—combat acids?
Fluoride is highly effective because it is attracted to the tooth’s surface and bonds with its minerals. It also attracts hydroxyapatite crystals found in our saliva to restore any minerals which have been lost. Fluoride ions also join with calcium and phosphate to form fluorapatite crystals, which are larger and stronger than hydroxyapatite crystals. These new crystals are more resistant to acids.
Through this process, fluoride combats decay on four key levels:
- Fluoride interferes with bacterial adherence to teeth. This means that it makes it difficult for bacteria to attack enamel in the first place.
- Fluoride inhibits tooth demineralization. This means that it slows down the process of enamel losing its mineralization.
- Fluoride enhances remineralization. This means that it begins to repair any weak spots which might have begun to form in the enamel.
- Fluoride is incorporated into the tooth. This means that the enamel is strengthened and more resistant to future demineralization.
Will I really see a difference if my child uses fluoride?
According to the AAP, dental cavities are the most chronic childhood disease, and can result in oral and other health problems into adulthood when not treated. However, it’s even better to prevent them in the first place.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring element, and has shown to prevent tooth decay by as much as 50-70%. It’s absolutely worth using fluoride to protect your kids’ teeth and health.
Will my child be safe if s/he uses fluoride?
As with almost every medical treatment, fluoride should be used at appropriate levels. With little or no fluoride, the teeth aren’t strengthened to help them resist cavities. Excessive fluoride ingestion by young children can lead to dental fluorosis, which is typically a chalky white discoloration (brown in advanced cases) of the permanent teeth. It’s important to follow your pediatric dentist’s instructions on suggested fluoride use.
Refer to the chart below for common recommendations by the AAP:
Want to know more? We’d love to discuss your options with you! Contact us today at (970) 829-8258.
“They took care of my kids. When my little one was nervous they took their time to make her feel comfortable before proceeding with the cleaning. Thank you!!”
-Stephanie
