Should I Say Yes to Topical Fluoride Treatment for My Kids in Kallangur?

Fluoride treatment is a simple preventive treatment that helps protect teeth against decay, and it is recommended for many children and adults. Fluoride is a mineral found naturally in rocks, soil, water and some foods, and it is added to most toothpastes. It helps teeth resist the acid attacks that cause cavities.

Some parents decline fluoride treatment for their children because they are unsure whether it is safe or whether it works. Those are fair questions. So, before you decide, here is what you should know.

Why Is Fluoride Important To Children?

Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic health problems in Australian children. Children's teeth, especially baby teeth and newly erupted adult teeth, have enamel that is more easily damaged, and many children snack often on sugary foods and drinks.

The mouth contains bacteria that feed on sugar and produce acid. Each time we eat or drink something sugary, that acid draws minerals out of the enamel, and saliva slowly puts some of them back. When the acid wins too often, a weak spot forms and, over time, a cavity. Fluoride helps in two ways: it makes the enamel more resistant to acid, and it helps early weak spots remineralise before they become holes.

Is Fluoride Safe For Kids?

Used in the right amounts, fluoride is considered safe for children, and its use to prevent decay is supported by Australian health authorities, including the National Health and Medical Research Council. Professionally applied fluoride varnish uses a small amount that sets on the teeth, so very little is swallowed.

Too much fluoride while the adult teeth are forming, usually from swallowing toothpaste, can cause dental fluorosis, which shows as faint white flecks or lines on the enamel. Most fluorosis is mild and cosmetic. This is why Australian guidance is that children under 18 months do not use toothpaste unless a dentist advises it, and children aged 18 months to 5 years use a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride children's toothpaste, spitting it out rather than swallowing and not rinsing afterwards.

If you are worried about how much fluoride your child is getting, talk to your family dentist in Kallangur. At Kallangur Dental Surgery, our dentists look at your child's toothpaste, diet and risk of decay, and advise on the right amount of fluoride to keep their teeth strong.

What Is Topical Fluoride Treatment?

Topical fluoride is fluoride applied directly to the outside of the teeth, rather than swallowed. Toothpaste is an everyday topical fluoride. A professional topical fluoride treatment uses a more concentrated product, applied by your dentist after the teeth have been cleaned, to give the enamel extra protection between check-ups.

What Is Fluoride Treatment for Children, and How Does It Work?

For children, dentists usually use fluoride varnish. It is painted onto the teeth with a small brush after a clean, and it sets quickly when it meets saliva, so it stays on the teeth while the fluoride is taken up by the enamel. The whole process takes a few minutes, does not hurt, and suits even young children who would struggle with trays or gels. Some older children and adults may have a fluoride foam or gel in a tray instead.

The teeth may feel slightly sticky or look a little yellow until the varnish is brushed off. After fluoride varnish, we usually advise that your child:

• waits about 30 minutes before eating or drinking, then sticks to soft foods and cool drinks for the rest of the day
• avoids hot drinks and crunchy or sticky foods for a few hours
• skips brushing and flossing until the next morning, or for at least 4 to 6 hours, so the varnish has time to work

Your dentist will give you instructions for the product used, as they can differ slightly.

When Should Children Get A Fluoride Treatment?

How often a child benefits from fluoride varnish depends on their risk of decay. Many children have it at their regular six-monthly check-ups, and children at higher risk, for example those who have already had cavities, wear braces or have a condition that affects their saliva, may benefit from more frequent applications. At your child's first dental visit, your dentist will look at their teeth, diet and toothpaste, and talk to you about whether and when fluoride treatment would help. There is no fixed age to stop; it continues for as long as it is useful.

Eligible children may be able to use the Child Dental Benefits Schedule towards preventive care, including fluoride treatment. You can read more on our kids dentist page.

Kallangur Dental Surgery For Your Kid's Fluoride Treatment

Now that you understand how fluoride treatments work and why they matter, the next step is to talk with our dentists at Kallangur Dental Surgery. Book your child's check-up and we will let you know whether fluoride treatment could help protect their teeth.

You can book a dental appointment online with us or call us on (07) 3886 0933.