Fluoride is an important part of your oral health. This is the substance that is used to rebuild your dental enamel, repairing the damage done to them every day. Unfortunately, high degrees of fluoride are not good for young children, potentially causing learning and memory problems if they are exposed to too much during their early development. It is for this reason that you will want to select your child’s toothpaste carefully.
If your child is under three years old, look for a toothpaste that has about 1,000 ppm (parts per million) of fluoride. Apply a light smear of the paste to less than three quarters of a brush before cleaning their teeth. Children between the ages of three and six years old can benefit from a pea-sized drop of toothpaste of between 1,350-1,500 ppm. Emphasize that they should not swallow their toothpaste, as their young instincts will want to treat the minty-tasting substance like candy.
Bring your child to our International District dentist to learn more about how to keep his or her teeth healthy.