{"id":113,"date":"2017-10-07T21:14:48","date_gmt":"2017-10-07T21:14:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jldentalstl.com\/blog\/?p=113"},"modified":"2018-01-22T04:46:01","modified_gmt":"2018-01-22T04:46:01","slug":"dentist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jldentalstl.com\/blog\/2017\/10\/07\/dentist\/","title":{"rendered":"Should My Child Receive Fluoride Treatments? Your Dentist Weighs In"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"dentist<\/p>\n

As a parent, one of your primary concerns is protecting your children at all costs. That\u2019s why you\u2019re constantly looking to broaden your bank of knowledge. You want the best information available to guide their wellness. So when it comes to fluoride treatments, one of the hot-button topics that deals with the health of your children, you want more clarity. There is spirited debate over whether it is safe for your their consumption, so your local dentist has decided to weigh in to help you make the best decision for your family<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What is Fluoride?<\/h2>\n

Fluoride is one the 108 elements found on the periodic table. It\u2019s generally accepted that it is a naturally occurring mineral found in water, certain foods, the earth\u2019s crust and throughout the environment.<\/p>\n

How Was It Discovered?<\/h2>\n

Modern scientists discovered what they would determine to be a benefit of fluoride in the 1930\u2019s. They found that among people who drank fluoridated water, there were 66% fewer cavities than those who lived in areas that didn\u2019t have the same water treatment. They would deduce, then, that putting fluoride in the water was a necessity to reduce the incident of cavities.<\/p>\n

Based on this discovery, scientists deemed fluoride as especially important for protecting the enamel of children, since they are usually the population with the least consistent dental hygiene practices.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s significant about tooth enamel?<\/h2>\n

The enamel of your teeth protects the more sensitive dentin and pulp. Excess bacteria and plaque that accumulate from poor oral hygiene can cause cavities to develop, and lead to tooth decay. So scientists concluded that reinforcing children\u2019s enamel with fluoride better guards against these maladies.<\/p>\n

Why Some Parents Don\u2019t Like Fluoride<\/h2>\n

While researchers\u2019 findings seem pretty cut-and-dry, there are new data available contradicting the findings that emerged in the 1930\u2019s. Many parents have become aware of these newer revelations and, as a result, are resistant to the idea of giving their children fluoride treatments.<\/p>\n

The Pros and Cons of Fluoride Treatment<\/h2>\n

To help you make the best decision for your family, your children\u2019s dentist has compared the advantages and disadvantages of fluoride treatment:<\/p>\n