Children's Dentistry
Fluoride Treatments for Children
Fluoride plays a well-established role in strengthening developing tooth enamel and reducing cavity risk in children. Here is what parents often want to know.
Dental services for children at Wildwood Dental Clinic are provided by our general dentist team. Our dentists are not licensed specialists in pediatric dentistry.
How fluoride strengthens developing enamel
Tooth enamel is the hard outer layer that protects each tooth. Throughout the day, acids produced by bacteria in the mouth can weaken enamel through a process called demineralization. Fluoride helps reverse this process, it supports remineralization, which draws minerals back into softened enamel to restore its strength.
When fluoride is incorporated into developing enamel, either through fluoridated water, toothpaste, or professional applications, it can form a more resistant mineral structure, making the enamel somewhat less susceptible to acid attack. This is particularly relevant during childhood, when teeth are still forming and erupting.
Professional fluoride applications
At dental appointments, we may apply a fluoride varnish to the teeth at the end of the cleaning. Varnish is painted directly onto the tooth surfaces, takes only seconds to apply, and sets quickly on contact with saliva. It delivers a concentrated dose of fluoride to the enamel surface and is safe when used as directed.
Whether a professional fluoride application is appropriate at a given visit depends on the child's age, their cavity history, their dietary habits, and the fluoride they receive through other sources. We discuss this with parents at each appointment.
Fluoride in drinking water
Many municipalities in Canada, including Saskatoon, add fluoride to the municipal water supply at levels recommended for dental health. Drinking fluoridated tap water contributes to overall fluoride exposure and is factored in when we discuss fluoride needs with families.
If your household uses well water or a filtration system that removes fluoride, this is worth mentioning at your child's dental visit so we can factor it into our recommendations.
Home fluoride: toothpaste guidance by age
The Canadian Dental Association provides guidance on how much fluoride toothpaste to use at different ages:
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First tooth to age 3
A grain-of-rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. This small amount minimizes the fluoride swallowed by infants who cannot yet spit reliably.
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Ages 3 to 6
A pea-sized amount. At this stage, children can begin learning to spit rather than swallow toothpaste.
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Age 6 and up
A pea-sized amount continues to be appropriate. Most children this age can spit consistently.
When professional fluoride treatments are recommended
Not every child requires a professional fluoride application at every visit. Our team considers the child's overall cavity risk, including diet, hygiene habits, fluoride from other sources, and history of decay, when deciding whether to recommend a treatment. If you have questions about whether fluoride is appropriate for your child, we are glad to discuss it.
Questions about your child's dental care?
Call 306.374.7272 or request an appointment online.