Fluoride is a mineral that is one of the micronutrients required by the body to function optimally. It is useful especially for your oral health. It keeps teeth, gums and bones healthy. It keeps your mouth looking and feeling good. Some of the benefits of fluoride on dental well-being:

• Keeps enamel from breaking down due to acids in food
• Prevents cavities
• Keeps gums and bones strong
• Helps prevent gingivitis (gum disease) and excessive teeth sensitivity

Although fluoride intake is recommended for all, children benefit the most from regular fluoride use. This is because the teeth, bones and gums are still developing in small kids and giving them adequate amounts of fluoride regularly will help make teeth stronger and more resistant to decaying and corrosion from food acids.

Including fluoride in your kid’s diet and oral hygiene routine can be very beneficial, especially between the ages of 6-8 months and 16 years. This is the time when they will get both their milk and permanent teeth, develop bones fully and mature physically. But fluoride should be used under a doctor’s advice, particularly for small children.

How can you get enough fluoride?

There are a lot of ways you can get your required dosage of fluoride daily. You can check with your dentist on the best sources for you and your kids. Some common sources of fluoride are:

• Fluoride-based toothpastes
• Tap water/filtered drinking water
• Fluoride mouthwashes
• Fluoride supplements
• Seafood
• Breast milk and formula (for young infants)

Of these sources, drinking water and toothpastes have been observed to be most easily absorbed by the body, although this will depend on your body and what your doctor thinks best for you.