As a parent, you want to do everything you can to ensure that your baby or toddler has a healthy start in life, including taking care of their teeth. Fluoride is often talked about when it comes to dental health, but you might be wondering if it’s safe for your little one. Understanding how fluoride works and whether it’s safe for babies and toddlers can help you make the right decisions for your child’s oral health.
What Is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in water, soil, and certain foods. It strengthens teeth and prevents cavities. Because of these benefits, fluoride is commonly added to toothpaste, mouth rinses, and even drinking water in many communities.
Fluoride makes the tooth enamel, which is the hard outer surface of the tooth, stronger and more resistant to decay. It also helps repair early stages of tooth decay by remineralizing areas that have started to break down. Since tooth decay is a common problem in children, fluoride can be an important tool in keeping your child’s teeth healthy as they grow.
When Can Babies and Toddlers Start Using Fluoride?
While fluoride is important for preventing tooth decay, it’s also essential to use it properly when it comes to babies and toddlers. Young children can use fluoride safely. There are some important guidelines they need to follow to ensure they’re getting the right amount.
For babies, we don’t typically introduce fluoride until after their first tooth comes in, which usually happens around six months of age. At this stage, your pediatrician or dentist may recommend using a small amount of fluoride toothpaste when brushing their teeth. A tiny smear, about the size of a grain of rice, is all they need to protect their teeth without giving them too much fluoride.
As your child gets older and starts brushing their own teeth, it’s important to continue supervising them to make sure they’re not swallowing too much toothpaste. Swallowing too much fluoride toothpaste over time can cause a condition called dental fluorosis, which causes white spots or streaks on the teeth. While fluorosis is usually a cosmetic issue and doesn’t affect the function of the teeth, it’s something parents want to avoid.
Is Fluoride in Drinking Water Safe for Babies?
Many communities add fluoride to their drinking water to help reduce tooth decay across the population. This process, known as water fluoridation, is considered safe and effective for people of all ages, including children. However, parents of babies who exclusively bottle-feed with formula may have concerns about the amount of fluoride their child is getting from water.
If you have fluoridated water, it’s generally safe to use it to mix baby formula. However, if the thought of your baby getting too much fluoride worries you, you can talk to your pediatrician about using low-fluoride bottled water to mix the formula. Most babies get the right amount of fluoride from the combination of formula, water, and eventually, fluoride toothpaste once their teeth come in.
How to Prevent Cavities in Babies and Toddlers
Cavities can start forming as soon as your baby’s first tooth appears, so it’s important to take steps to prevent them early on. In addition to using fluoride toothpaste, there are other things you can do to protect your child’s teeth.
First, make sure you’re cleaning your baby’s teeth regularly. Before their first tooth comes in, you can wipe their gums with a clean, damp cloth after feedings to remove any lingering bacteria. Once the teeth start coming in, switch to a soft-bristled baby toothbrush and use a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste. Brush your baby’s teeth twice a day to help prevent cavities.