Fluoridation of teeth in children: why is it so necessary?

Fluoridation of teeth in children is a way to strengthen enamel with the help of an element necessary for the proper development of a growing organism - fluoride. Of course, adults need fluoride no less, however, in childhood, health needs very close attention. This is explained by the rapid development of the child, in particular, the dental system. An unbalanced diet (the presence in the diet of an increased amount of carbohydrates and acids, coloring foods and drinks) and the consumption of too cold or hot water and food can weaken the enamel. Consequences: development of caries and increased sensitivity of teeth.

To prevent caries and strengthen enamel, dentists recommend fluoridation to young patients.

Fluoride is one of many components that participate in the formation of teeth starting from childhood. Together with calcium, this mineral provides strength and integrity. However, due to various factors, such as general health, nutrition, genetics, the baby’s body experiences a fluoride deficiency. The consequence is increased tooth sensitivity and the risk of developing caries.

It is very important for parents to understand that fluoridation is not a method of treating caries, but its prevention. The procedure allows you to protect baby teeth from premature destruction and protects the rudiments of future indigenous and surrounding tissues from the spread of possible carious infection.

An argument against fluoridation is an excess of the mineral in the child’s body. A disease such as fluorosis, as well as problems with the thyroid gland, occur precisely because of the oversaturation of the body with fluoride. An experienced pediatric specialist will not allow an unnecessary procedure to be prescribed.

Why is dental fluoridation important for children in St. Petersburg?

The relevance of the coating procedure with a fluorine-containing substance is explained by the fact that the current environmental situation leaves much to be desired. It is not always possible to find truly natural food products with optimal content of nutrients, in particular fluoride. Fluoridation at an early age (for medical reasons) will help avoid problems with teeth during the period of growing up and the formation of the dental system. Fluoride-containing preparations will saturate your teeth with fluoride in the required amount and keep them healthy.

Is it possible to use varnish at home?

It is allowed to carry out a strengthening procedure at home, but you should still consult a doctor first. Difficulties will arise already at the stage of purchasing varnish - you won’t be able to find a high-quality and safe solution on the open market. It must be ordered from a dental center or specialized medical store.

If you do find a drug and the dentist allows you to use it yourself, do not forget about the rules:

• pre-dry your teeth using cotton swabs;
• apply the product in a very thin layer;
• The varnish should dry naturally for about 5 minutes;
• Do not eat anything for twelve hours after the procedure.

Indications

The enamel of baby teeth does not contain enough minerals to withstand the aggressive effects of microbes. The required amount of minerals accumulates after a couple of years. During this time, teeth require mineral replenishment from the outside, which is fluoridation. Without appropriate preventive measures, there is a risk of developing caries.

Note that this is useful not only for young patients, but also for teenagers, who need it no less. The reasons are as follows: active growth, hormonal changes and other processes of adolescence.

Since the enamel of permanent teeth in young children remains very sensitive for a long time, and the susceptibility to caries is many times higher than in adults, one of the methods of disease prevention is coating with a fluoride-containing substance - fluoride varnish.

Fluoridation of a child's teeth allows you to saturate them with the necessary amount of fluoride and maintain a healthy smile for many years.

Orthodontic treatment of a child is also indicated. Installing braces is fraught with mechanical damage to tooth enamel and the development of caries. To avoid such troubles, the orthodontist may recommend treating the surface of the child’s teeth with fluoride varnish before installing metal plates.

How to replace silvering of teeth?

Not all parents want to undergo this procedure. Are there any analogues if no other treatment is currently possible?

Remineralization therapy for caries

The goal of therapy is to saturate the affected areas with calcium. There are special gels that you can use to treat your teeth at the dentist or at home yourself. The procedure will only have an effect if the teeth are kept clean. If plaque or stone is present, there is no point in holding the event.

Remineralizing therapy is carried out:

• at the initial stage of caries;
• to prevent the formation of carious lesions.

There is nothing particularly complicated in this process, but it is better to consult a dentist, who, before applying the gel, will brush your teeth with a special brush with a paste applied to it, as a result of which the penetration of calcium into the dental tissue will increase. In addition, the doctor can use more concentrated drugs, which will benefit the child.

Therapeutic measures are carried out until the chalky spots disappear, which is individual in each case under consideration, so it is not possible to talk about the duration of the course.

The remineralizing gel, available in different fruit flavors, contains a substance that normalizes acidity and calcium glycerophosphate.

In addition to the gel, it is recommended to use a paste with amino fluoride, which will allow more calcium to be fixed in the enamel.

If caries affects dentin, then such therapy is useless. With average caries, the child is recommended to have either a filling or silvering.

Fluoridation

The procedure saturates the enamel with fluoride, which reduces calcium leaching. Deep fluoridation is justified even for superficial caries, when the white spot stage has already passed, since fluoride, penetrating into the enamel, destroys microorganisms that cause caries.

The higher the fluorine concentration used, the more effective the fluoridation procedure becomes. According to statistics, enamel strengthening occurs in more than 80% of patients who have undergone this operation.

Fluoridation is indicated:

• with white spots on the enamel;
• for caries that does not extend beyond the boundaries of the enamel;
• to prevent the occurrence of new carious lesions.

Fluoridation is a procedure that should only be performed by a qualified physician due to the very high dosages of this substance.

Based on the above, the following conclusions can be drawn:

1. For white spots on teeth, it is recommended to carry out remineralization therapy, which in combination with fluoridation will have the most beneficial effect. Silvering is not contraindicated, although it will only be a temporary measure.
2. For caries located within the enamel, deep fluoridation is indicated. Silver plating is allowed.
3. For moderate caries, the best option would be dental filling. You can do silver plating, which will delay pulpitis, but there is a risk of burning the pulp.

Methods

Superficial fluoridation of teeth in children

The process involves applying a special gel to their surface. This method is used provided that the child’s teeth are healthy. It is most often prescribed to children with baby teeth. It is recommended to carry out the procedure once every six months along with professional oral hygiene.

Deep fluoridation of teeth in children

Recommended after completion of caries treatment. Before directly applying fluoride varnish, the little patient is hygienically cleaned of soft plaque and tartar, then treated with a substance containing fluoride, calcium and magnesium. The effect of deep fluoridation lasts longer than superficial fluoridation due to the deep penetration of strengthening minerals.

Advantages of fluoridation compared to silver plating

Previously, silver plating was used as a preventative measure. But most leading dental clinics abandoned it in favor of deep fluoridation. Here are the reasons: Silvering does not go unnoticed. After the procedure, a dark plaque remains on the teeth. Lack of effectiveness for chewing teeth.

Dentists speak flatteringly about the deep fluoridation procedure. In an interview with the newspaper “Arguments and Facts”, maxillofacial surgeon David Grigoryan Fr.

You can carry out deep fluoridation at our Nikadent clinic in Mytishchi. The cost of the service is quite affordable - about 2.5 thousand rubles. This price includes: professional consultation, preparation, cleaning of tartar, drying of teeth, application of fluoride.

 

Stages

1. Cleaning the surface of teeth from soft plaque and tartar;
2. Drying – the surface of the teeth must be dried as much as possible for high-quality fluoride varnish coating;
3. Applying a composition with fluorides, magnesium and copper salts using a special brush or a sterile cotton ball;
4. Repeated drying for 5-7 minutes naturally;
5. Treatment with a composition containing calcium hydroxide.

The formed durable film on tooth enamel, consisting of fluoride ions, is resistant to drinks, food, hygiene procedures, does not fade or deteriorate over time.

How is the procedure done?

Deep fluoridation

It is carried out only in a dental office using special preparations.
The procedure requires minimal preparation. It can be divided into five quick stages
:

1. Teeth cleaning. Usually a special paste is used to prepare for fluoridation. But if the child has heavy plaque, another cleaning method is chosen.
2. Drying the surface of the teeth.
3. “Sealing” the enamel. The doctor applies a drug based on magnesium and calcium (fluorides).
4. Second drying of the surface of the teeth.
5. Application of the final preparation. Dental clinics use a solution of copper and calcium hydroxide.

After the procedure, both applied layers react. All components gradually penetrate deep into the tooth, significantly enhancing its mineral structure. An important advantage of deep fluoridation is durability. Components applied to the surface are not washed out and are not affected by food or water.

Expert opinion of RAIDEN specialists

The fluoridation procedure is useful for the teeth of young patients, subject to indications for its implementation and taking into account contraindications. Fluoride is certainly useful for the formation of a growing organism. Its deficiency during the formation of the dental system can affect not only the health of the teeth, but also the entire body as a whole. Excess is also harmful. Therefore, the correct dosage of fluoride varnish during the procedure is an important point. Fluoridation “within reasonable limits” is a means of avoiding more complex, expensive and painful treatment. It is better to prevent any disease than to treat it. Prices for dental fluoridation depend on the amount of work.

Content:

1. Fluoride varnish
2. Why use a fluoride-based protectant?
3. Contraindications to the use of fluorine-containing varnishes
4. Is it possible to use varnish at home?
5. Carrying out the procedure in a dental clinic
6. Important nuances

Enamel is the hardest tissue of the human body, but even it becomes thinner over time under the influence of a huge number of different factors.
The procedure of protective coating of teeth with a special varnish allows you to protect the outer shell of the unit and make it more durable. In addition, dental compounds used to treat the teeth of children and adults are a kind of antiseptics. They block the spread of pathogens and thus provide reliable caries prevention.

Most often, when providing a protective coating for teeth, dentists use fluoride varnish. This is a special viscous liquid, including fluorine and other related compounds.

At what age is fluoridation allowed?

Remineralization of teeth is allowed from the age of two. The first procedure can be performed immediately after the first baby teeth have erupted. The second critical period for tooth enamel is adolescence. During this period, hormonal changes occur in the body, affecting the functioning of all organs and systems.

There is a change in the composition of saliva, and newly formed permanent teeth have insufficiently strong enamel, that is, it is not able to properly withstand the aggressive onslaught of pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, during adolescence, dental fluoridation is a completely justified preventive procedure.

Benefits of fluoridation

Fluoridation in childhood has a number of significant advantages. These include:

• Strengthening enamel. Thanks to this, reliable protection of teeth is created. If caries is present in the early stages, the process of tissue destruction can be completely stopped or significantly slowed down.
• No negative impact. The compositions do not change the color of the enamel, making them suitable for strengthening tissue even in adolescents after complete replacement of milk teeth with molars.
• Can be used at any stage of caries. The method can be used even with advanced caries. If treatment and installation of a filling is planned, it is best to carry out the procedure before its installation.
• Decreased sensitivity. Sensitivity to cold and hot foods goes away. The child stops experiencing pain.

To maintain the therapeutic effect and maintain tissue strength, fluoridation is sufficient 2 times a year.

Carrying out the procedure in a dental clinic

Dental treatment in a dental clinic is much more effective than at home.
Before proceeding with the manipulation, the doctor carefully cleans the dental crowns from hard stone and soft plaque. Due to this, the fluoridated gel adheres better to the enamel and penetrates into its deeper layers. Afterwards, the work area is isolated from saliva. This is very important and a person is not able to do this on his own. The dentist then uses fluoride varnish. He carefully distributes it over all surfaces, making sure that not a single area is left untouched. Until the solution dries, the person sits with his mouth open.

An experienced dentist knows exactly how much varnish to use and how to apply it correctly. Therefore, the patient does not risk anything. He can be confident in the effectiveness of the therapy.

What is the best way to seal fissures?

We have already said above that 3 groups of sealants are used to seal fissures. These are chemical or light-curing composites, glass ionomer cements (GIC), and compomers. Below we will tell you how long materials of different classes are preserved in fissures, for which we will take the scientific work “Methodology of sealing dental fissures and comparative characteristics of modern materials for sealing” (authors – Nelovko, Mehdiyeva).

• Composite materials – these materials are made from a special composite resin and can be cured either with light or chemically. Materials of this class are divided into 2 subgroups: unfilled and filled sealants. The former have high fluidity, and therefore penetrate even the narrowest and deepest fissures; in addition, they adhere more tightly to the enamel surface, but wear out faster and require replacement.
  Filled sealants have less fluidity and penetration depth, and therefore they are more often used for invasive fissure sealing technology (see below). Their disadvantage is also their high sensitivity to moisture and complex application technology. Pros: high abrasion resistance.

  Important: this class of materials allows you to protect your teeth from fissure caries for a long time (up to 5-8 years). The degree of preservation of the composite sealant 3 years after application is up to 90%. The best composite sealants include the following 3rd generation light-curing sealants: “Fissurit”, “Helioseal”, “Estisial LC” and especially those containing fluorine – “Fissurit F” and “Admira Seal”. The release of fluoride from Fissurit F continues for more than 190 days from the moment of application!

• Glass ionomer cements (GIC) – GIC-based sealants include the following materials: “Dyract seal”, “Fuji”, “Glass Ionomer”, “Aqua Ionoseal”. These materials have a pronounced cariesstatic effect due to the presence of aluminum, zinc, calcium, and especially due to the fluoride content. These materials are chemically cured; a big plus is that they do not require etching of the enamel with 38% acid before application (unlike composite materials).
  Compared to composite materials, GICs have low fluidity, which does not allow their use in deep fissures without opening them with a drill, and also have a greater degree of edge leakage and wear out faster. There is an opinion that the use of GIC as fissure sealants is justified when it comes exclusively to newly erupted teeth (with extremely low mineralization of fissure enamel). In the latter case, it is not advisable to etch the enamel with acid, and for the use of composites, the enamel must always be etched.

  The safety of GIC 1, 6, 12 and 24 months after application is 90, 80, 60 and 20%, respectively, and after 3 years it is only 10% (in turn, the composite sealant is 90%). However, this class of materials reduces the occurrence of caries in fissures by 80-90% in 2 years.

• Compomers - they are classified as light-hardening composite materials, however, components have been added to their composition that give them the positive properties of glass ionomer cements. Advantages compared to traditional composites: greater tolerance to humid environments, greater fluidity and the ability to release fluoride in small quantities. It should be noted that these advantages had to be paid for with a greater degree of abrasion (in 2 years the compomer almost completely disappears). Materials of this class include “Dyrect Seal” (Dentsply).

The best material: Composites are undoubtedly the most effective materials, but when it comes to sealing fissures in newly erupted teeth (the enamel of which has extremely weak mineralization), then glass ionomer cement should be preferred. Also, preference should be given to glass ionomer cements when sealing fissures in children with little contact, for whom it is difficult to achieve good isolation of the tooth surface from saliva

Feasibility

In modern dentistry, dental fluoridation is a popular procedure that doctors offer their young patients to undergo.

The enamel of primary crowns is heterogeneous, friable and low in density . It is not always possible to obtain the required amount of remineralizing microelements naturally.

Their deficiency, including fluorine, leads to a decrease in metabolic processes inside the dental tissues and the leaching of minerals. Because of this, cracks form on the enamel, dental tubules and pores expand, and bacteria that cause caries easily penetrate into them.

Damage to baby teeth by caries can cause a number of serious complications:

• infection of permanent primordia;
• partial or complete destruction of the crown;
• premature tooth loss , which provokes the development of an abnormal bite.

How effective is the fluoridation procedure?

Fluoridation can begin at 1.5–2 years of age. It is necessary to determine why the child needs dental fluoridation. It is important to realize that such a procedure is a preventive measure that can be used, for example, in the initial stages of caries development or in case of increased tooth sensitivity. In addition, fluoridation can be carried out when the fluoride content in drinking water is less than the norm.

Fluoridation does not replace the treatment of caries; the most effective treatment is complete treatment, in which fillings are installed. Fluoridation is a preventive measure and an adjunct to treatment.

What are dental fissures

There are fissures on both baby teeth and permanent teeth.
These are physiological folds - grooves, dimples and depressions - on the chewing surface of molars and premolars. The incisors and canines do not have fissures. Such cavities easily and quickly fill with plaque, are poorly cleaned with toothpaste and a brush - they become a common cause of carious lesions. Pediatric dentists often suggest sealing fissures - creating a thin film on the surface of the crown that will protect against pathogenic microflora and mechanical damage.

There are two main reasons for fissure sealing:

1. Children's inability to take good care of their teeth. Even the most responsible child is not able to clean all the cavities on the surface of molars and premolars, which leads to the development of caries and the need for treatment. Especially if the grooves differ in depth and tortuosity.
2. Thin enamel of teeth - milk and permanent during the period of change of bite. The thickness of the enamel of temporary units is half that of permanent ones, which explains its rapid destruction and susceptibility to caries. During eruption, molars are especially vulnerable - initially the crowns are covered with thin, slightly mineralized enamel, and only after 2-3 years the surface becomes resistant to external damage.

Rodikova Tatyana
Before recommending invasive fissure sealing to a patient, I always look at the initial level of mineralization. With a high mineral content and wide grooves, sealing cavities can be easily done without sealing, but there are cases (low mineralization, prone to caries) when sealing the teeth is the best option!

What to do with a child’s lost baby tooth

Many moms and dads willingly follow the Tooth Fairy tradition. Before going to bed, the baby puts the lost tooth under the pillow, and in the morning he finds a gift in its place. This approach also has practical significance: it helps the child overcome the fear of a lost tooth, because in return he receives pleasant compensation.

If you decide to take action in this direction, tell your son or daughter that the healthier the tooth, the better the gift - this is the attitude of the tooth fairy! Why not unobtrusively motivate the heir to maintain oral hygiene?

If you prefer a traditional approach and are used to following beliefs, you can “give the tooth to the mouse,” bury it in the ground or throw it into the fire. Popular beliefs and signs agree: you shouldn’t keep them, much less make amulets out of them! What if the tooth inadvertently falls into the hands of a witch who performs a magical ritual and harms the child? In the modern interpretation, a witch can be any ill-wisher who can “put the evil eye” on a child.

Reviews

The fluoridation procedure has a lot of positive reviews, where parents especially note the absence of new foci of carious lesions and a decrease in tooth hypersensitivity. At the same time, children do not change their lifestyle and habits.

We invite everyone whose child has undergone a fluoride remineralization procedure to share their opinion about this in the comments to this article.

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Tags: childhood caries prevention fluoridation

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Alternative

As an alternative remedy, silvering of teeth . This method of remineralization allows you to effectively combat the formation of caries and prevent the destruction of crowns.

The silvering procedure is as follows: a thin layer of a preparation containing silver is applied to children's teeth, which forms an invisible protective film.

At its core, silvering of baby teeth is a method of caries preservation , allowing it to be stopped at a certain stage. Often, this method allows you to wait until the period when the child can independently make a positive decision about dental treatment.

Despite the fact that silvering takes place in a matter of minutes and does not cause discomfort or negative attitude on the part of the child, the procedure is not successful, as it has low aesthetic properties.

Silver, under the influence of oxygen and saliva, begins to oxidize and darken, making the teeth almost black.

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