Most Toddlers Don’t Need Extra Fluoride, Says Brentwood Dentist

There is a lot of controversy regarding the role that fluoride plays in dental health. On the one hand, it is well known that fluoride is necessary for dental health and it helps to strengthen the tooth enamel. This is essential to protect the tooth against decay. On the other hand, an excess of fluoride consumption at an early age can cause teeth to become discolored and brown.

The crux of the issue is that too much of fluoride can be a bad thing, as useful as it undoubtedly it. Most local governments already add fluoride to the drinking water supply so that people can get adequate amounts of this vital substance without having to take any trouble. If , in addition to this, parents also start using fluoride tooth paste to clean the teeth of their toddlers, the child could get an unnecessarily large dose of this substance.

The problem is compounded by the fact that many children swallow their tooth paste instead of spitting it out, thereby causing them to have extra large doses of this substance that is detrimental to their health. Some parents even give their children fluoride supplements in the hope that it will make their teeth and bones strong.

It would be best to avoid exposing a child to this substance at an early age, especially before the child has turned two years of age. A dentist in Brentwood suggests that parents have a talk with their dentist in order to get a clear picture of this problem. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.