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If you have a hard time getting your child to brush their teeth, bringing them to the dentist for a professional fluoride treatment might seem like a dental care step reserved for a different decade. However, understanding fluoride and providing it to your kids will keep them both healthy and comfortable.

Here are just a few of the pros and cons of fluoride treatment, as well as why you should talk to your dentist about incorporating it into your child’s routine. 

Pro: Fluoride Strengthens Dental Enamel

Fluoride—a naturally occurring mineral present in most water sources—works by strengthening dental enamel on a microscopic level. In addition to making teeth more resistant to decay, fluoride also helps neutralize bacterial acids in the mouth. The mineral is so trusted that the CDC considers water fluoridation one of the most effective preventive health measures in American history.   

Pro: Fluoride Treatments Are Simple & Pain-Free

Although about two-thirds of the American public live in areas with fluoridated tap water, people who don’t drink enough water or don’t have access to fluoridated water may need to give their children fluoride supplements to preserve their pearly whites. Best of all, professional fluoride treatments are simple, pain-free, and almost always covered by standard dental insurance policies.    

Con: Too Much Fluoride Can Cause Problems

dentistWhile it is true that fluoride is an excellent way to ward off childhood tooth decay, too much fluoride can cause problems. Children who ingest the mineral in excess can develop a condition called dental fluorosis, which makes the teeth appear mottled. Fortunately, this condition can be avoided by following fluoride dosage instructions and understanding municipal water fluoridation rates.

 

Do you need a dentist who can make dental care fun and comfortable for your child? C.R. Sfeir D.D.S., General Dentistry in Lorain, OH, provides top-notch dental services in a family-friendly atmosphere. In addition to helping patients with preventive and restorative dental care, this practice provides cosmetic services such as teeth whitening. To schedule an appointment, send them a message online or call (440) 960-5200 today.

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