WHAT PARENTS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BABIES' TEETH

Kids' Fluoride Needs
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So how much fluoride do kids need? In general, kids under the age of 6 months do not need fluoride supplements. 

WE RECOMMEND THAT YOUR BABY'S FIRST VISIT TO THE DENTIST SHOULD BE AT THE AGE OF 6MONTHS.

Your child's 6-month checkup offers a great chance to discuss fluoride supplementation with your doctor.

 If you live in a nonfluoridated area, your doctor or dentist may prescribe fluoride drops, tablets, or vitamins after your baby is 6 months old.

The experts recommend that these fluoride supplements be given daily to kids between the ages of 6 months and 16 years.

 The dosage depends on how much fluoride naturally occurs in the water and the child's age. Only kids living in nonfluoridated areas or those who drink only nonfluoridated bottled water should receive supplements.

What about toothpastes, mouth rinses, and other products that contain fluoride? Here are a few tips:

·         Kids under 2 years old should not use fluoride toothpaste unless instructed to by a dentist or health professional.

·         Kids over age 2 should use an approved fluoride-containing toothpaste. 

     Kids younger than 6 may swallow too much toothpaste while brushing, so we recommend  SUPERVISED BRUSHING and children should be taught to spit, not swallow, toothpaste.

·         Kids should use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

·         Kids under age 6 should never use fluoride-containing mouth rinses. 

    However, older kids at high risk for tooth decay may benefit from using them. Your dentist can talk with you about risk factors such as a family history of dental disease, recent periodontal surgery or disease, or a physical impediment to brushing regularly and thoroughly.

Your family dentist or pediatric dentist (one who specializes in the care of children's teeth) is a great resource for information about dental care and fluoride needs. 

A dentist can help you understand more about how fluoride affects the teeth, and once all of your child's primary teeth have come in, may recommend regular topical fluoride during routine dental visits.

Overexposure to Fluoride

If some fluoride is good, why isn't more fluoride better? As with most medications, including vitamins and mineral supplements, too much can be harmful. Most kids get the right amount of fluoride through a combination of fluoridated toothpaste and fluoridated water or supplements.

Too much fluoride before 8 years of age, a time when teeth are developing, can cause enamel fluorosis, a discoloration or mottling of the permanent teeth. For most, the changes are subtle. In one study, 94% of identified fluorosis cases were very mild to mild. Most cases are due to inappropriate use of fluoride-containing dental products, including toothpaste and mouth rinses. Sometimes kids take daily fluoride supplements but may be getting adequate fluoride from other sources, which also puts them at risk.

If naturally occurring fluoride levels exceed the optimal levels used in community fluoridation programs (0.7 to 1.2 ppm), putting kids under 8 years old will be at risk for severe enamel fluorosis. So in communities where natural fluoride levels are greater than 2 ppm, parents should give kids water from other sources.

We should also recognize that infants need less fluoride than older kids and adults. Some infants may be getting too much fluoride in the water used to reconstitute infant formula. If you're concerned that your infant may be getting too much fluoride, talk with your doctor or dentist, who may recommend ready-to-feed formula or formula reconstituted with fluoride-free or low-fluoride water.

REMEMBER-

PERMISSIBLE FLUORIDE  IN WATER - AVOID FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTE FOR CHILDREN < 8 YRS OLD.
FLUORIDE LEVEL HIGH IN WATER    - AVOID  AND USE BOTTLED WATER.
NO / LOW FLUORIDE IN WATER       - FLUORIDE SUPPLEMENTS ESSENTIAL.

Very rarely, fluoride toxicity can occur when large amounts of fluoride are ingested during a short period of time. Kids under age 6 account for more than 80% of reports of suspected overingestion. Although outcomes are generally not serious, fluoride toxicity sends several hundred children to emergency rooms each year.

Symptoms of fluoride toxicity may include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, increased salivation, or increased thirst. Symptoms begin 30 minutes after ingestion and can last up to 24 hours. If you suspect your child may have eaten a substantial amount of a fluoridated product or supplement, call 108 or avail immediate medical attention .

Be sure to keep toothpaste, supplements, mouth rinses, and other fluoride-containing products out of kids' reach or in a locked cabinet. You should also supervise your young child's toothbrushing sessions to prevent swallowing of toothpaste or other fluoridated products.

If you have any questions about your water's fluoride content, the fluoridated products your child uses, or whether your child is receiving too much or too little fluoride, talk to your doctor or dentist.