XP: Fluoride?

SandyEggo5

DD (2 yrs old) is going in for her first dental check up next week and they asked if we would like her to get a fluoride treatment. I said I wasn't sure yet, that I would look into it. I've found arguments for both sides. I normally buy fluoride-free toothpaste for DH and I, but I think it's different for children (DD doesn't yet brush with toothpaste). What do/would you do? Do you have any good resources that helped in your decision? TIA!

mdiblasi10

We brush G's teeth twice a day with fluoride-free toothpaste because he is too young to not swallow it. We haven't been to his first dentist visit yet. My Mom did tell me that I had flouride treatment at the dentist when I was very young and I have great teeth, no cavities even at 30 years old. I haven't done any research on it myself, so I am no help with the latest recommendations. Good luck!

imoverit

MH did all the research on flouride and its impact so I dont have any specific articles to show you, but natural news on the web has some good info. We used flouride free toothpaste with DS (2 1/2) and will opt out of the treatment with the dentist. He is getting some flouride with our water since they use flouridation in our state. Wish I could be more help.

Ruthie04

FIL is a dental prof and just sent us some new recs for under two that included using toothpaste with fluoride (the size of a grain of rice). I'm sorry- he sent the email to DH, so I don't have the references. I grew up with fluoride in the water and did fluoride treatments at the dentist when I was living on well water. I 100% attribute that to never having a cavity. I feel like that is pretty remarkable considering I had atrocious flossing habits as a young adult and went years between dental visits (I know. I'm soooo gross!!). I don't know how they can control for swallowing on children that young, but we will follow our dentist's recs.

Cwhitaker27

DH is a dentist and he usually recommends getting the treatment if the child can tolerate it. He said every dentist uses a different kind if treatment. Usually they use a foam on the teeth for a few mins. He uses ACT on a toothbrush if the child really can't handle it ie swallows too much. Or the best option, which is more expensive so a lot of dentists dont have it, is a fluoride.

If you want your child to get it but are concerned about them swallowing it I would just tell/ask your dentist what they prefer to do and how they handle it and go from there!