It can really be a dilemma at times not knowing what to choose, even when it comes to simple things just like toothpaste for our children. The common debatable question is whether to use an organic or a fluoride type of toothpaste. Some of us may even have the thought that fluoride is just bad without even knowing what actually does fluoride cause.
Is fluoride bad for toddlers?
If used correctly, fluoride actually helps to prevent teeth decay in your child. Teeth decay in a child happens when there is sugar or carbohydrate (we eat rice all the time) on the teeth. Bacteria will start to nom-nom on these sugar and releases acid that breaks down the wall of the teeth called the enamel.
Overproduction of these acids will cause the enamel to break down. In this situation, the fluoride helps to repair these broken walls and prevents decay from happening. In worse case scenario, cavities may happen too.
What are the side effects of fluoride?
Like most parents, we are just concerned about our children swallowing toothpaste while brushing without spitting them out. And chances are, the likelihood of them swallowing the toothpaste is high. So what happens when your child ingest too much of fluoride?
The harmful effect of a child ingesting toothpaste is fluorosis
It is a cosmetic defect. Meaning, it does no physical harm apart from the teeth not being nice to look at. There will be white specks visible on the teeth or worse, brownish spots just like the image below.
When to start using toothpaste for a baby?
If you are referring to age-wise, of course when your little one starts to have his/her own set of teeth. And teething is likely to start around 6 months or so. Then again, if there is no evidence of teeth decay present in your child, it is not exactly necessary to use a toothpaste with fluoride.
The American Dental Association advised parents to wait until their child is 2 before using toothpaste with fluoride
You can use an organic one first, then switch to a fluoride one later. So you just have to play by ear and observe the condition of your child’s teeth. If there are any signs of early tooth decay, then choosing a toothpaste with fluoride will be a better choice.
Malaysia’s tap water has fluoride?
Of course!
You can refer to Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (SYABAS) website under their FAQ section for further details. Fluoride is present in our tap water in small quantities. So if your child has started drinking water or infant formula, he has already started taking in fluoride already. Only in very small quantities.
However, these fluoride helps to a certain extent on the teeth but fluoride works best if it is applied directly to the teeth instead. So, using a toothpaste with fluoride is preferable if your child has started showing early signs of teeth decay. Otherwise, once your child is older and able to obey instructions, using a toothpaste with fluoride is better than an organic one since he/she will not be swallowing toothpaste anymore.
Take home points
- Fluoride prevents dental caries and cavities.
- Too much fluoride causes a cosmetic defect called fluorosis.
- Consider using a toothpaste with fluoride when your child is 2 years or older.
- Otherwise, use an organic toothpaste if your child is less than 2.
- Malaysia’s tap water has small amount fluoride which is safe for consumption.
References:
- Fluorosis Overview | WebMD
- Is Fluoride Bad for Toddlers? | 1st Family Dental
Image credit:
- https://assets.parents.com/s3fs-public/styles/nfp_1080_portrait/public/shutterstock_464586929.jpg?w9MEDWE0VPm1Eh.LUPUoWX2ZyJHSx60p
- https://cdn.firstcrycdn.com/2018/01/15566627-H.jpg
- https://corinnadental.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/tooth-decay-in-children.jpg
- https://miriyalapediatricdentistry.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/child-teeth-decay-960x540.jpg
- https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4e/Dental_fluorosis_%28mild%29.png
- https://www.healthymummy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/tricks-to-get-kids-brush-teeth.jpg
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