What You Should Know About Fluoride Varnish For Toddlers
If you take your small child to the dentist for a checkup, the dentist may recommend using fluoride varnish on the child's teeth. As a parent, you can choose to have this done or not, but there are some benefits you should realize about this. Here are a few important things to understand about fluoride varnish for children.
Fluoride is an important mineral
The first thing to understand is that fluoride is very important for teeth, and fluoride is something that is important for people of all ages. Most toothpaste products contain fluoride because it is so important, yet many small children do not get enough fluoride exposure to their teeth. Fluoride is something that actually causes strengthening of the enamel on teeth. The result of this is fewer cavities and stronger, healthier teeth.
Why young kids do not get enough fluoride
The reason young kids do not get enough fluoride is often because of the toothpaste used on their teeth. Many parents use training toothpaste, which is fluoride-free, simply because fluoride is not something you should swallow when brushing your teeth. If you swallow it, it can lead to white spots forming on the teeth at a later age, and young children often do not understand how to spit out the toothpaste. Therefore, the use of training toothpaste is recommended for young kids. If your child uses training toothpaste, he or she may not be getting enough fluoride for his or her teeth.
The benefits of fluoride varnish
Fluoride varnish is a product that dentists can paint on a child's teeth, and your child can get several of these treatments a year if you choose to have this done. After it is applied, the varnish will harden quickly, and it will allow the fluoride to absorb into the child's teeth. When this is completed, your child's teeth will be more resistant to decay forming on them, and this should reduce the child's risk of developing cavities. Studies on this subject show that the use of fluoride varnish greatly reduces the risk of cavities forming when used properly, and this is why you should consider agreeing to have these treatments completed on your young child's teeth.
Providing the right types of treatment options and care for your child's teeth will help your child grow up with healthier, stronger teeth. If you have questions about this, talk to a children's dentist in your city.
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