Using Fluoride to Protect your Teeth
Your child brushes her teeth twice a day, flosses regularly and visits the dentist every six months, but did you know that rinsing with fluoride – a mineral that helps prevent cavities and tooth decay – also helps keep her teeth healthy and strong?
Fluoride is effective in preventing cavities and tooth decay by coating teeth and preventing plaque from building-up and hardening on the tooth’s surface.
Fluoride comes in two varieties, topical and systemic:
- Topical fluoride is applied directly to the tooth and includes toothpastes and mouth rinses.
- Systemic fluoride may be prescribed by the dentist for home use. Systemic fluoride treatments are designed to help protect the oral health of children. Systemic flourides are generally recommend for home use which may be prescribed by a dentist.
Receiving a fluoride treatment from your dentist
A fluoride treatment in the dentist’s office takes just a few minutes. Depending on your child’s oral health or your doctor’s recommendation, your child may be required to have a fluoride treatment every three, six, or 12 months. The doctor may also prescribe an at-home fluoride product.