You’ve likely heard your children’s dentist mention fluoride before, whether they were referring to in-office treatments or toothpaste. Useful in both preventative and restorative dentistry, fluoride provides distinct dental benefits. Here is what you should know about fluoride, so you can make the best decisions for you and your family’s dental health.

What Fluoride Is & How It Works

Fluoride is the ionic form of the element fluorine. It’s a naturally occurring mineral that your body needs for optimal dental health, and you can either ingest it or apply it directly to your teeth. When used topically, like in toothpaste, fluoride strengthens enamel and cavity resistance. When ingested through supplements, food, or water, it works from the inside to encourage healthy tooth growth. Fluoride boosts your oral health to such an extent that the American Dental Association has advocated fluoridated public drinking water since 1950.

Fluoride Treatments

Before modern dentistry, humans absorbed this element through water fluoridated by surrounding terrain in low levels. Today, beyond fluoridated water, there are at-home and in-office fluoride treatment options. At-home options include topical solutions, like fluoridated toothpastes and mouthwashes, that specifically fight cavities. For more comprehensive treatment, a dentist will offer higher concentrations of fluoride, including liquid coatings like silver diamine fluoride. If the risk for cavities is high or the fluoride intake is low, the dentist may prescribe fluoride pills or supplements, especially in children.

If your child needs fluoride treatments, bring them to see the dentists at Honolulu Keiki Dental. Their team offers preventative and restorative dentistry as well as orthodontic and emergency care for young patients. Plus, they’ve been voted one of the state’s best pediatric dentists since 2009 for their prompt, attentive, and gentle care in a positive and fun atmosphere. Browse their services online, and call (808) 944-1603 to schedule your child’s appointment.