Fluoride is often called nature’s cavity fighter as it prevents tooth decay. Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, helps prevent cavities in children and adults. The germs that causes tooth decay produces acids, which attack the enamel surface of the tooth. Fluoride makes the outer surface of your teeth (enamel) more resistant to the acid attacks that cause tooth decay. For kids younger than 6 years, fluoride is part of the development of permanent teeth, making it difficult for acids to demineralize the teeth.

Research shows that children who have grown up drinking fluoride containing water seems to have their teeth completely free of decay in contrast to those who have taken fluoride free water. So it has been validated that recommended small amounts of fluoride on a daily basis is safe for children.

When there is no fluoride present in the water, tooth paste, mouthwash and varnishes containing fluoride are recommended for children.

How Fluoride protects the teeth from cavity formation?

Fluoride offers two methods of protection against decay:

1. Aiding tooth remineralization and hardening of teeth:
   When sugar is broken down inside the mouth, acids are formed that weakens the enamel surface of the tooth, by demineralising it and thus creating cavities. When cavities are just beginning to develop, fluoride binds with the minerals on the enamel surface, by promoting remineralisation. In the process, it forms Fluor apatite, which is a very hard substance that is not susceptible to bacterial acid attacks.
2. Antibacterial action.

How safe is fluoride and why is fluoride varnish recommended for the kids?

Clinical studies and research shows that Fluoride if taken in recommended quantities, is considered safe and very much effective. However fluoride containing tooth paste should be kept out of reach from children. To avoid ingestion of fluoride tooth paste, monitor your children always while brushing their teeth. A peanut sized toothpaste should be used for 3-8 yrs of age and a small smear is more than sufficient for kids below 3 years of age

Fluoride varnish is applied on tooth surfaces by a dental professional to prevent tooth decay. Gel foams are also used as varnishes. They are loaded in trays and held in position for 3-4 mins. This will help prevent decay formation by aiding more of enamel remineralisation.

Amazingly not only does fluoride promote tooth remineralization (participates in it, speeds it up, takes it to a higher degree of completion) …

But it also helps to create a tooth surface that’s even more resistant to decay formation than it was originally

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