Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and water. Every day, minerals are added to as well as lost from a tooth’s enamel layer through two processes; demineralization and remineralization. Minerals are lost (demineralization) from a tooth enamel layer when acids (formed from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth) attack the enamel. Minerals like fluoride, calcium, and phosphate are redeposited (remineralization) to the enamel layer from the foods and waters consumed. When there is too much demineralization without enough remineralization to repair the enamel, it will lead to tooth decay. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth.
Do Kids Need Fluoride in Their Toothpaste?
Fluoride is important for all children. Bacteria in the mouth combine with sugar and produce acid that can harm tooth enamel and damage teeth. Fluoride protects teeth from acid damage and helps to reverse the early signs of tooth decay. Children should also be drinking plenty of water and brushing their teeth with toothpaste that has fluoride in it. The American Pediatric Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), along with the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all agree that water fluoridation is safe and effective in preventing tooth decay.
Is Fluoride for Babies Good or Bad?
The ADA says it is safe to mix formula with fluoridated water. The only risk here is mild fluorosis. You can talk to your pediatrician or dentist. Dental fluorosis usually appears as very faint white streaks on the teeth. Often it is only noticeable by a dental expert during an exam. Mild fluorosis is not painful and does not affect the function or health of the teeth. Once your child has all their adult teeth (usually around age 8), the risk of developing fluorosis is over. If you don’t want to use fluoridated water with formula you can breastfeed your baby, use bottled water that has no fluoride with formula or use ready-to-feed formula that does not need water to be added.
Fluoride Drops, Supplements & Treatment for Kids
There are a lot of sources of fluoride. The most common ways are fluoridated water and toothpaste. It is also found in many foods and beverages. You should make sure your child eats a balanced diet with plenty of calcium and vitamin D to ensure healthy teeth. Your dentist or pediatrician may recommend a topical fluoride treatment during dental visits at various stages of your child’s development. If your water is not fluoridated, ask your pediatrician or dentist if your child is at high risk for dental caries (also known as tooth decay or a cavity). Dr. Jensen may recommend fluoridated water or give you a prescription for fluoride drops or tablets for your child. The AAP and the ADA recommend using a “smear” of toothpaste on children when they get their first tooth and until they reach the age of 3. After the age of 3, a pea-sized amount can be used.
Expert Pediatric Dentistry & Care in Las Vegas Nevada
Make sure your child is visiting the dentist on a regular basis. Contact Smile Reef today to make an appointment to discuss your child’s fluoride needs.
When it comes to your little ones, there isn’t anything you wouldn’t do to make them happy. But unfortunately, there are still some things that are in their best interest that you have to force on them. Not all kids enjoy school, yet you want them to be educated, so you make them go. When your child is in need of shots or to see the doctor, though they are fearful of needles, you encourage them through the experience to contribute to better health. The same example can be said of the dentist. Children are generally standoffish with strangers intruding in close proximity. Add a dentist who is intrusive in their mouth; most can understand the fear associated.
Smile Reef Share Some Tips to Help Your Child Work through Their Fear of Going to the Dentist
1. Don’t Delay Dental Visits. A common mistake a lot of parents do is waiting for their children to be old enough to understand they are going to a dentist. Starting children young is actually more beneficial. It is recommended children start at age one or when they get their first tooth. Starting them young reinforces the routine and more often than not, the fear of a dentist manifests.
2. Don’t Talk About Dental Procedures. If your child is of age to speak, many will have questions. Keep it short and sweet. Don’t relate details, especially about cavity procedures and such. Doing so only gets their imagination and curiosity spinning, which will buildup unnecessary anxiety. Keep it simple and sweet with all the little one’s questions.
3. Positive Dental Outlook. We have found it is best to avoid using words like “shot”, “pain”, and “hurt” kind of words. No one is eager to be involved in anything that contributes pain, especially children. Let your little inquisitors know the dentist is looking for tiny sugar beasts, or the dentist is merely going to count their teeth. It helps put their mind at ease.
4. Mock Dentist Role Play. Consider a play time where you are the dentist and the child is your patient. Have toy instruments common for a dentist and go through the basic motions. Make sure it is a fun and exciting time filled with laughter. After 2 or 3 times, switch roles and let them be the dentist and you the patient.
5. Special Needs Dentist. Young children or those with special needs may fuss, protest, and cry. Be prepared for it, and be patient. You don’t have to be embarrassed your child is having a meltdown. Most dentists and office staff has been there and done that. Be patient with your child, calm reassurance is what they need. Often when parents lose patience and they display frustration and anger, the anxiety and fear in their children will, only build. Be relaxed and take your time getting them comfortable.
6. Avoid Bribing at the Dentist. Before the visit even happens, you may be tempted to offer them a reward if they behave at the dentist. This immediately makes a child suspicious of what is going to happen at a place they may cry or be unhappy at. Instead, make the dentist a special treat where the dentist is excited to meet them and see their big smiles or something along those lines.
Pediatric Dentistry in Las Vegas, Nevada
It is always important to instill the importance of oral hygiene in your kids. Remind them going to the dentist regularly helps keep their teeth healthy. For your child’s next appointment, contact Smile Reef today. We cater to kids, including those with special needs. We are patient and help your child get comfortable and relaxed.
Las Vegas Children's Dentist
Most parents and guardians of little children, if not all, are greatly concerned about the growth and development of children's teeth especially in this day and age where almost any food available in groceries and restaurants are loaded with sugar and or sucrose which greatly contribute to the formation of cavities, eventually resulting to tooth decay. From the time that the first set of baby teeth comes out, pediatric dentists would already heavily advise parents to start a religious and proper care routine of their children's teeth to ensure that the proper development of these important part of a child's mouth are done with the right techniques and required consistency. Caring for baby and children's teeth takes a lot of effort since children are not expected to care for their own set due to their limitations in capacity and information. That is why until children reach the stage where they are capable to care for their own teeth comes, the weight of the call rests on the shoulders of the parents. It is for this reason that proper oral care for children begins with choosing the right dental office which houses the best pediatric dentists who will be the partner of parents in ensuring that their children's oral care are safeguarded. Las Vegas Children's Dentist is a dynamic and vibrant supporter in the campaign against early onset of tooth decay in children's teeth. Certified and competent, this Dentist for kids in Las Vegas, very carefully and thoroughly instruct and teach good oral care to parents and children. This dentist follows the best practices in worldwide standards and features state of the art dental equipment that allows not only for the best oral care of each patient but also creating an environment that is friendly and accommodating to kids and children who frequent this pediatric dentist office in Las Vegas.
To begin early oral care for babies, a competent and friendly Las Vegas dentist from a reputable pediatric dentist office will advise that even before the eruption of the teeth, a child's mouth and gums should be wiped after meals with a clean, soft damp cloth to make sure that excess food would not linger in the mouth. These excess foods when left in a moist area like the mouth would form bacteria which would eventually get lodged in the baby's first set of teeth triggering the beginning of tooth decay. A meticulous and caring kids dentist in Las Vegas would also advise that to prevent the onset of pre-mature cavities, it is best to give babies plain water when sipping at bedtime to prevent baby formula - which sometimes contain sugar - from settling in the mouth which also invites cavity formation. Once the first set of baby teeth comes out, the practice of brushing should also commence, normally beginning with soft bristled baby toothbrush combined with a non-fluoride toothpaste or even just plain warm water to gently clean every part of the emerging teeth. A licensed Las Vegas children's dentist is a strong support in making sure that these early oral care regimens are done by the parents regularly to avoid unnecessary formation of tooth decay that could prove to be costly to take away using dental procedures. Children's dentist in Las Vegas recommends that children's toothbrushes should be replaced every two to three months taking special note of the appearance of the head bristles to make sure that they still serve their purpose of thoroughly cleaning the teeth. There are several pediatric dentist in Las Vegas so one must be very careful to choose the best, and the best pediatric dental clinic must not only be concerned about treatment but more so on prevention methods. So far Las Vegas pediatric dentistry is a cut above all other pediatric clinics because of its practices on preventative measures that do away with costly teeth drilling and fillings.
Children develop their baby teeth as preparatory ground for the eruption of the final adult teeth which they would use for the rest of their lives. Many parents feel that since baby teeth would still be replaced, they could be more relaxed in spearheading for their children's oral care. But this is very far from the truth since the condition and health of the baby teeth would also greatly determine the condition and health of the permanent teeth. Parents are advised that the first visit of their children to the dentist should happen when babies are 12 months old and prior coaching such as open your mouth or saying 'ahhh' must be done to avoid too much time on the dental chair which might be very scary for some kids. Dental patients could rest assured that reputable pediatric dentist in Las Vegas would be more concerned with prevention but would also be very competent when treatment is necessary. A parent could expect that a children's dentist in Las Vegas is well trained in handling children especially the first timers who might have reservations in seeing a dentist for the first time let alone open their mouth for a stranger. But the first visits to the dentist are crucial because those are the times when good oral plan is discussed aside from giving out the message to the children that dentists are friends not enemies to increase their trust and confidence with them. A well trained dentist for kids in Las Vegas would also discuss the availability of important pediatric care such as the application of fluoride and sealants that help protect baby teeth from plaque and cavities. The substance fluoride help make the teeth stronger by protecting them from the initiation of dental caries and tooth decay while at the same time re-mineralizing areas of the teeth that get weakened by acid coming from leftover food or juices which the children consume.
Las Vegas pediatric dentistry is known as one of the best pediatric dentistry all over the United States which practices not only the best dental techniques using state of the art equipment, a Las Vegas dentist also has the best techniques and rapport with children patients giving them a wonderful experience inside the clinic that helps ensure repeat comebacks for consistent and thorough oral care. Las Vegas pediatric patients could expect that as they step inside a Las Vegas pediatric dentist office they would experience the best pre and post care evaluations not to mention above standard procedures including the application of necessary treatments that are non-threatening, very friendly and truly professional. Las Vegas pediatric dentistry is unchallenged when it comes to everything that makes oral care for children fantastic and something to look forward to and having children as clients that speaks highly of the credibility and expertise that a kids dentist in Las Vegas has to showcase and bring to the table. So next time you are in great need of an expert in oral care for you and especially for your young children - including those cute toddlers- consider pediatric dentistry in Las Vegas and you might not go anywhere else after trying its services. With the rising cost of dental care each year, wouldn't you want every dime you spent on it to be truly worth it? And wouldn't you want to see those beautiful and sparkly teeth on your children as they flash you their beautiful smiles? All of these and more could be yours by just visiting a reputable Las Vegas pediatric dental clinic. Check your directory for assistance or better yet take the word of our loyal customers who have given their generous testimonials of how happy and satisfied they are with our services. We assure you that you will have the best oral care on our hands and we will ensure that your children's teeth are not only taken cared of, they will also pass on the legacy of consistent and excellent oral care with their children and their children's children.
The Las Vegas Dentist Office
One of the best kid friendly dental offices you will find in the state of Nevada is the Las Vegas Pediatric Dentist Office. It's got the best ways and practices of making sure pediatric patients are well taken cared of and assured of warm, non-threatening dental procedures that help them ease up and become comfortable in this environment. Many parents regard a beautiful pediatric dental experience as part of the success why children stick to proper oral acre and why they regards a dental visit as an exciting adventure rather than a traumatic one. The Las Vegas pediatric dentistry is one of the top pediatric dental practices not only in the whole State but could also be compared, if not above, other dental pediatric practices in the United States. Parents coming from other nearby States bring their children to experience pediatric dentistry in Las Vegas because of its very popular kid-friendly atmosphere that children would sometimes forget they are inside a dental office. Parents love that their children are having a great time while having their excellent oral check up or procedures and children enjoy because it's like going to the zoo or the park where the environment is fun and lively and not scary at all. From themed rooms with matching themed cups and bibs, the pediatric dentist office in Las Vegas is a must see and must experience for all children. The pediatric dentists are well trained and well equipped to handle pediatric patients but the thing that endears all of them to their kid patients is the way they make cleaning teeth an exciting and fun thing to do rather than a boring chore that must be done regularly. And if dental procedures are needed such as drillings and putting of sealants, the expertise of a Las Vegas Dentist would surpass everyone's expectations including adults and parents who often have had traumatic experiences inside a dental office. So come now and visit us and see and feel the difference or better yet let your children tell you the difference with their exciting dental experience Truly it is like not going to the dentists at all!
