FLUOR

ASK YOUR DENTIST ABOUT

F LUOR I DE

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

:KDW LV ÁXRULGH" .T]WZQLM Q[ I KWUXW]VL \PI\ KWV\IQV[ Æ]WZQVM I VI\]ZIT MTMUMV\ =[QVO [UITT IUW]V\[ WN Æ]WZQLM on a routine basis can help prevent tooth decay. In IZMI[ _PMZM Æ]WZQLM LWM[ VW\ WKK]Z VI\]ZITTa Q\ UIa be added to community water supplies. Research [PW_[ \PI\ KWUU]VQ\a _I\MZ Æ]WZQLI\QWV PI[ TW_ - MZML LMKIa ZI\M[ Ja W^MZ XMZKMV\ _PQKP UMIV[ that fewer children grow up with cavities. Fluoride can be found as an active ingredient in many dental XZWL]K\[ []KP I[ \WW\PXI[\M UW]\P ZQV[M[ OMT[ IVL varnish. +RZ GRHV ÁXRULGH SUHYHQW FDYLWLHV" Fluoride inhibits loss of minerals from tooth enamel and encourages remineralization (strengthening areas that are weakened and beginning to develop cavities). Fluoride also affects bacteria that cause KI^Q\QM[ LQ[KW]ZIOQVO IKQL I\\IKS[ \PI\ JZMIS LW_V the tooth. Risk for decay is reduced even more when Æ]WZQLM Q[ KWUJQVML _Q\P I PMIT\Pa LQM\ IVL OWWL oral hygiene.

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The pediatric dentist considers many factors before ZMKWUUMVLQVO I Æ]WZQLM []XXTMUMV\ AW]Z KPQTL¼[ IOM ZQ[S WN LM^MTWXQVO LMV\IT LMKIa IVL LQM\IZa [W]ZKM[ WN Æ]WZQLM IZM QUXWZ\IV\ KWV[QLMZI\QWV[ 1VNIV\ NWZU]TI[ KWV\IQV LQNNMZMV\ IUW]V\[ WN Æ]W ZQLM *W\\TML ÅT\MZML IVL _MTT _I\MZ[ IT[W ^IZa QV \PM IUW]V\ WN Æ]WZQLM \PMa KWV\IQV AW]Z XMLQI\ZQK dentist can help determine if your child is receiving – and not exceeding – the recommended amount.

FLUORIDE +RZ VDIH LV ÁXRULGH" =[QVO Æ]WZQLM NWZ \PM XZM^MV\QWV IVL KWV\ZWT of decay is proven to be both safe and effective. 6M^MZ\PMTM[[ XZWL]K\[ KWV\IQVQVO Æ]WZQLM [PW]TL be stored out of the reach of young children. Too U]KP Æ]WZQLM KW]TL KI][M Æ]WZW[Q[ WN LM^MTWXQVO XMZUIVMV\ \MM\P .T]WZW[Q[ ][]ITTa Q[ UQTL _Q\P \QVa white specks or streaks that often are unnoticeable. 1V [M^MZM KI[M[ WN Æ]WZW[Q[ \PM MVIUMT UIa JM XQ\\ML _Q\P JZW_V LQ[KWTWZI\QWV ,M^MTWXUMV\ WN Æ]WZW[Q[

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AW]Z KPQTL [PW]TL ][M \WW\PXI[\M _Q\P Æ]WZQLM IVL the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance . Brushing twice a day (after breakfast and before bed- \QUM XZW^QLM[ OZMI\MZ JMVMÅ\[ \PIV JZ][PQVO WVKM daily. Parents should dispense toothpaste to prevent their young children from swallowing too much.

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.WZ KPQTLZMV ]VLMZ \_W aMIZ[ WTL ][M I [UMIZ WN Æ]WZQLI\ML \WW\PXI[\M .WZ \PW[M IOML \W aMIZ[ I pea-sized amount is recommended.

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