Teeth - fluoride
teeth; tooth; decay; caries; cleaning; brushing; toothbrush; brush; paste; toothpaste; fluoride; formula; fluorosis; enamel;
Contents
Teeth are some of your children's most important possessions. How you look after their teeth from the time they are babies will make a difference to how they grow and how healthy they are. This means not only how you clean them but also how you protect tham from things that can harm teeth. Tooth decay is preventable.
There are several other topics on this site about teeth and teeth care:
- Teeth – decay and erosion
- Teeth – dental care for children
- Teeth – when a tooth is knocked out
- Teeth - development and teething
- Fluoride acts both before and after teeth come through to prevent tooth decay.
- Its main action is on the surface of the teeth after teeth come through. It makes them more able to resist decay.
Fluoride is found naturally in the earth and in water in most parts of the world - but in many places in Australia there is very little fluoride in the water.
- It is also in the bones and teeth of humans and animals, and in plants.
- There are small amounts in many of the foods we eat.
- It is a normal and important part of human tooth enamel.
- Too much fluoride during the time teeth are developing can cause permanent marks on teeth.
- There has been a lot of scientific research about possible health effects of fluoride. There are no health problems caused by having the amounts of fluoride that can be got from fluoridated water and fluoride toothpaste.
Swallowing toothpaste
- Swallowing toothpaste is not likely to be a medical emergency unless a whole tube is swallowed. If you are worried about this, see your doctor or ring the Poisons Information Centre. In Australia the number is 13 11 26.
Dental fluorosis
- Dental fluorosis is a problem with tooth enamel that happens when too much fluoride is taken in when the enamel is forming (birth to six years of age).
- Mild dental fluorosis can look like very pale little white flecks on the tooth. If it is worse, there will be pitting and grooves on the surface of the teeth.
- While mild forms of fluorosis do not harm dental health or teeth, it can make a difference to the look of the teeth.
Causes of dental fluorosis
- The most common cause is swallowing too much fluoride from toothpaste (too much on the toothbrush and not being able to spit it out after cleaning).
- Fluoride tablets can also cause it.
Fluoride tablets
- The use of fluoride tablets is not recommended for children, even where the water supply is not fluoridated. Using fluoride toothpaste twice a day should provide enough fluoride. If you have concerns about how much fluoride your child is getting, see your dentist.
Steps to prevent dental fluorosis
- After the baby is one year of age it is advisable to switch to cow's milk or make up the formula with boiled rain water, boiled filtered water or boiled spring water.
- Use a small amount of low fluoride toothpaste especially made for children, and teach them to spit the toothpaste out.
- Some parents may want to use boiled rainwater, boiled filtered water or boiled spring water to make up the formula for babies under one year.
- Breastfeeding can help prevent fluorosis - there is very little fluoride in breast milk.
Fluoride and formulas
- Some time ago there was some concern that a baby's teeth could have marks on them caused by fluoride (fluorosis) because there was fluoride in baby formula powder as well as in the water added to make up the formula.
- There is no fluoride in infant formula made in Australia or New Zealand.
Resources
South Australia
- South Australian Dental Service for children.
Office hours - phone 8222 8222
After hours emergency dental service - phone 8232 2651
(Mon-Fri 4.30pm - 9pm; weekends 9am-9pm)
Health Promotion Unit, South Australian Dental Service - phone (08) 8222 9016
http://www.sadental.sa.gov.au
- South Australian parents can consult the Dental Department at the Women's and Children's Hospital (Ph: 8161 7379 - 8am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday) or their own dentist for more detailed information.
Books for parents
- Pamphlet 'Zero to Six' - obtainable from the South Australian Dental Service, Dental Health Education Unit and Child and Youth Health Centres.
References
South Australian Dental Service - Health Promotion Unit.
Phone (08) 8222 9016.
http://www.sadental.sa.gov.au
Australian Dental Association 'Your oral health - fluoride now'
http://www.ada.org.au/oralhealth/fln/fluoridation.aspx
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).
This topic may use 'he' and 'she' in turn - please change to suit your
child's sex.