How is children’s fluoride therapy performed?

What is fluoride therapy?

Tooth enamel is a very hard and strong layer that is placed on the teeth and protects the teeth from bacteria. Fluoride therapy is a treatment method performed by a dentist and a high concentration of fluoride is placed on a person’s teeth. This substance stays on the teeth for a period of time to help improve the condition of the teeth.

Fluoride can be used in different forms of gel, solution, varnish and foam. Note that this should be done in a doctor’s office, and if you plan to do fluoride therapy at home, be sure to consult a doctor.

People who have weak tooth enamel, do not follow oral and dental hygiene properly, have dry mouth, do not have a healthy and correct diet, use drugs or alcohol, and such cases are more prone to tooth decay and should use fluoride therapy.

Children’s fluoride therapy

Many people ask about the best age for fluoride therapy. Can this be done for children? The best age to start this work is when the baby teeth have grown. Usually, the growth of milk teeth is completed at the age of 3, and all the teeth grow by the age of 14. This period is the best time for fluoride therapy for children.

It is better to do this every 3 to 6 months at this time to have strong and healthy teeth. Of course, this period of time may be different in some people, so doing this must be done in consultation with a pediatric dentist.

Benefits of fluoride therapy for children

Fluoride therapy has many benefits for children and adults.

• In children under 6 years of age, it protects milk teeth and makes permanent tooth buds very resistant. In this way, these buds are not associated with decay and healthy and strong teeth grow.
• Newly erupting permanent teeth are susceptible to decay. For this reason, fluoride therapy protects these teeth in children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 16.
• This treatment method helps to absorb and use calcium and phosphate better. The teeth absorb these substances and remove any weakness in the tooth enamel. In fact, it helps to restore and strengthen tooth enamel.
• Children’s teeth become resistant to bacteria by absorbing fluoride. For this reason, the tooth decay process slows down. It also prevents gum infection and any toothache and teeth stay healthy longer.

How is children’s fluoride therapy performed?

As mentioned, it is better to do this in the dentist’s office.

1. For this treatment, first the surface of the child’s teeth is completely cleaned.
2. After cleaning, the teeth should be completely dry.
3. The teeth are coated with fluoride and it remains on the teeth for several minutes.
4. After a few minutes, the excess amount of fluoride is completely removed with the help of cotton or sterile gauze.
5. After that, it is better not to brush the child’s teeth for half an hour.

Children’s fluoride therapy at home

It is also possible to do fluoride therapy at home. In addition to the mentioned items, you can also use toothpaste or mouthwash containing fluoride for your children. Common toothpastes usually have 1000 units of fluoride, and if a person has more decayed teeth, toothpaste with a higher fluoride content is used.

Mouthwashes containing fluoride are also useful in this regard. If you use mouthwash on a daily basis, use a mouthwash with less fluoride. A mouthwash with more fluoride is also used weekly.

Side effects of fluoride therapy for children

Some people have concerns about using fluoride, especially for children. According to the research, if this work is done by a doctor and with the right dose, it will not cause any harm or complications. Of course, there are some side effects for it that occur in case of excessive consumption.

• Discoloration of teeth
• allergy
• Fluoride overdose
• Causing nausea, diarrhea and severe sweating

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