One of the most common items during a dental visit for children is a fluoride treatment. Usually, fluoride treatments occur after the teeth are cleaned and polished before our dentist examines their teeth. You may be wondering whether your child needs to have fluoride treatment at all if they are receiving fluoride in their toothpaste or through their municipal water system. Here is some information about why your children need fluoride treatments to help their teeth stay strong and healthy.
Why Is Fluoride So Important?
Fluoride has been a staple of good dental health since the early 20th century. In the early 1900s, a dentist doing research discovered that all of the adults in one small town in Colorado had extremely healthy teeth well into their old age. The only problem they had with their teeth was brown streaks.
The dentist found that the drinking water in their small town was full of fluoride, which seemed to make their teeth stronger and prevent tooth decay that caused teeth to fall out. As research into fluoride continued, dentists found that adding small amounts of fluoride to water did not make brown streaks on teeth but did make teeth stronger. Fluoride began to be added to toothpaste and drinking water after World War II, and the addition of fluoride has made losing all of your teeth as adults a thing of the past.
Fluoride Treatments
When children receive a fluoride treatment as part of their dental visit every six months, the treatment helps to harden the enamel that is the first layer of their teeth. The harder the enamel is, the less likely a cavity will form. All cavities weaken teeth, so the fewer cavities you have, the stronger the teeth will be. Research shows that when children receive fluoride treatments throughout childhood, their teeth will remain strong for life.
Are you ready to bring your children in to see our dentist for their checkups and fluoride treatments? We can help. Give us a call today, and we will be happy to make appointments for your family.
Smile More Spokane Family Dentistry, 9671 North Nevada St. ste. 200, Spokane, WA 99218-1146 | (509) 505-6303 | spokanefamilydentistry.com | 11/5/2024 | Associated Words: dentist Spokane WA |