Is Fluoride Bad for Toddlers and Kids?

It is important for parents to carefully monitor certain conditions affecting children’s teeth. Just like adults, kids also need proper dental care to maintain their overall health. But children’s oral care needs are different from ours in many cases. 

Therefore, we must pay great attention to the dental care products we are giving them to use. For example, baby teeth decay more rapidly than adult teeth because they are softer. So, preventing such issues is very necessary. Also, it is vital that you choose a good toothpaste for them.

But how do you know the toothpaste your toddlers are using is safe? Or it will not harm his/her oral health? Well, there is always an ongoing debate on whether a fluoride-based oral care product/toothpaste is suitable for children or not.

So, in this article, we have decided to cover all things fluoride with regard to toddler dental care. But before jumping on to that, let us see what fluoride is.

Several dental products contain fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens tooth condition and prevents decay or cavities.

What is the need for fluoride in kids’ dental care routine?

There is always a risk for cavities among children because according to some studies, most of the kindergarten students or preschoolers suffer from cavities and decay. 

Therefore, introducing your child to a fluoride-based product in his/her growing years will help reduce the risk of cavities, limit the growth of bacteria, prevent decay, protect teeth from mineral loss, etc.  But with every pro, there comes a con, and the same is with fluoride-based products. 

Fluorosis is one such condition that can occur in young kids if they take or use too much fluoride in their oral care routine. Therefore, parents must pay attention to whether their toddlers are spitting out the toothpaste or not.

It is very vital to make sure that kids do not use too many fluoridated dental care products because it can lead to neurological health conditions. Though, in most cases, fluoridated products are harmless. But a constant habit of swallowing such products can pose a problem with concern to kids’ overall health.

How to ensure your toddlers are using the right amount of dental care products?

With fluoridated products, one thing that really matters is the quantity we use. And the same goes for our little ones. So, here are some tips which you can use as a parent to ensure your child is taking the right amount of fluoridated oral care product to stay away from any health concerns:

• Keeping toothpaste out of reach of children and supervising them while they brush can prevent any future health risks.
• Children with fully developed spitting and swallowing reflexes can safely use fluoridated toothpaste.
• Brushing should be done under adult supervision for children under six years old, and younger children should be watched as they still have a tendency to swallow things.
• Giving your children a pea-sized amount of toothpaste at 3 years of age is recommended.
• It is essential to prevent your child from swallowing more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste continuously, as this can upset their stomach.

Can you give your child alternatives to fluoride-based products?

Although non-fluoridated toothpaste can replace fluoridated toothpaste in some cases, it will not be able to control tooth decay, so it should be used more frequently.

‍It is generally safe for children and adults to use fluoridated toothpaste. However, it should be used in the correct proportion.  In addition, toddlers and babies should be carefully monitored when using this product.

Lastly, if you want to find a replacement for such products, you must consult a pediatric dentist because they help you find a solution to this after listing all the pros and cons for the same.