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 The
primary factor in reducing the prevalence
of cavities among children in the
United States has been the widespread
availability of fluoride and fluoridated
products.
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The primary factor in reducing the prevalence
of cavities among children in the United States has
been the widespread availability of fluoride and fluoridated
products.[4]
Frequent exposure to small amounts of
fluoride each day is the best way to reduce the risk
for developing tooth decay.[4]
It is important to understand the benefits of fluoride
and to know how infants and children can safely ingest
it in appropriate quantities. Mechanisms by which
fluoride prevents or reduces decay include
- Increased resistance of the tooth structure to
demineralization.
- Enhanced remineralization of early carious lesions.
- Reduced cariogenic activity of plaque, through
disruption of bacterial metabolic function.
Infants and children receive fluoride
in two ways — systemically and topically. Only
fluoride ingested during the tooth-forming years (ages
6 months through 19 years) has the systemic effect
of enhancing resistance to later acid demineralization.
Systemic fluoride — either in
the form of fluoridated water or fluoride supplements
(e.g., drops, swallowed liquids, and tablets) —
is very important. Systemic fluoride reaches the developing
teeth through the child’s digestive and circulatory
systems. |
