Author: Joshua Alexander, MD, FAAP, FAAPMR
BRAND NAME(S): Luride?, Pediaflor?, Fluoritab?, Florvite ?, and others
COMMON USES: Promotes tooth and bone development and prevents tooth decay
HOW IT'S SUPPLIED: Drops ( 0.125 milligrams per drop, 0.25 milligrams per drop)
Liquids ( 0.2 , 0.5 , 2 , 2.25 , 5.5 , or 5.9 milligram s per millilter)
Chewable Tablets ( 0.25, 0.5, or 1 milligram)
HOW IT WORKS: Fluoride is an important mineral for healthy tooth and bone development. During the last 20 years, people in the United States have developed half as many cavities as before, mostly due to the addition of fluoride in public water supplies and toothpaste, and the use of fluoride treatments at visits to the dentist. When fluoride drops, liquids, or tablets are taken on a daily basis, the mineral enters the body's blood circulation and is absorbed and stored in teeth and bones. Fluoride helps form mineral deposits in teeth that are more resistant to bacteria that can cause cavities. It also makes the teeth smoother, with fewer holes and cracks for cavities to develop. Fluoride in the saliva also protects your teeth by helping to kill off some of the bacteria that can cause cavities.
THINGS TO DISCUSS WITH YOUR DOCTOR:
Please check with your doctor to see if your child would benefit from a daily fluoride supplement. If you use bottled water in your house, or if your public/well water supply has a fluoride concentration of less than 0.6 parts per million, your physician might prescribe a fluoride supplement to help prevent cavities. On the other hand, fluoride supplement use when your regular water supply alreay has a high enough concentration can lead to mottled teeth or abnormal bone changes (There are kits available to check the fluoride concentration in your water at home). Fluoride supplements should be taken with food to decrease the chance of stomach upset, but should not be taken within 1 hour of eating or drinking milk or other dairy products which decrease your body's ability to absorb the fluoride. Fluoride use is NOT a substitute for brushing or flossing your teeth.
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