Fluoride: Keeping Kids’ Teeth Healthy

Do you remember going to the dentist as a child? Remember your cleaning ending with a funny tasting fluoride gel squishing out the sides of mouth trays? Four minutes was a LONG time. The good news is that fluoride flavors have improved and everyone today only has to swish or sit for one minute making it much easier to do. 
Some offices use fluoride varnish and “paint” fluoride on the children’s teeth. The varnish sticks to the tooth’s surface. Fluoride products can also be purchased over the counter and used daily, such as in toothpastes, rinses, and other dental products, even embedded in dental floss! 
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is the thirteenth most common element in our earth’s crust and is naturally present in most water sources, even in the oceans. So fluoride is a mineral that naturally helps fight tooth decay. That is why it is often called, “nature’s cavity fighter.”
American Dental Association research shows that fluoride helps repair the early stages of tooth decay even before the decay can be seen. Fluoride helps prevent cavities in children and adults by making teeth more resistant to the acid attacks that cause cavities.  When people brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste, or use other fluoride dental products, they are preventing cavities and strengthening teeth’s enamel.
Many families don’t have access to fluoridated water because they live in areas that aren’t able to fluoridate, such as areas with their own well water. Families today are “on the go” and grab bottled water to drink or worse, a sugary drink such as soda pop, flavored coffee drinks, or juice boxes. Most of the bottled water doesn’t contain significant amounts of fluoride. Although bottled water is better to drink, these children and adults are missing out on the benefits of fluoridated water. 
Healthy Fluids  
Find out if you have fluoride in your water by contacting your local health department.  If you don’t have fluoride in your drinking water, your dentist can write a fluoride prescription for children. Fluoride supplements such as drops or tablets help strengthen the teeth forming under young gums. 
   Make drinking water fun. Families can purchase water bottles or water bottle decorating kits at local stores. You can also make personalized water bottles via online photo programs, such as Shutterfly. Then families can use their own tap water.

   Keep a special water bottle at home for grandchildren to use. Make a “dental overnight bag” together and let your grandchild pick out a special toothbrush, and fluoride toothpaste. Brush teeth together. Check they brush properly and examine results. Children are notorious for faking it.

  Guest writer is Rebecca Maino, dental health care professional.

Photos: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wmeschoolkids.JPG
This Image was released by the United States Navy with the ID 070622-N-6278K-006

More Ideas and Activities....See the authors’ book “Learning Through the Seasons” at area bookstores and grandparentsteachtoo.org. For more help to prepare young children for success in school see the authors’ web site: www.grandparentsteachtoo.org. Also check our audio Podcasts WNMU Radio 90; Youtube video activities; and join us on Pinterest