Mineralization and Demineralization

If you’ve ever wondered why pediatric dentist Mahwah services involves fluoride treatment, here’s why. Your teeth relinquish and receive minerals on a daily basis. When minerals exit the teeth, the process is called demineralization. Demineralization occurs when teeth make contact with bacteria, plaque, and other damaging acids. The purpose of brushing one’s teeth is to minimize the damage that these agents can inflict onto your teeth. When minerals enter the teeth, the process is called mineralization. Mineralization occurs through the consumption of water, toothpaste, mouthwash, and healthy foods.

What Is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a mineral that protects against plaque, bacteria and acid. By applying fluoride to your teeth, which is a form of remineralization, you effectively minimize the likelihood of developing tooth decay. That’s because fluoride helps teeth become resistant to damaging agents. But fluoride doesn’t just act as a preventative measure. It can also reverse early tooth decay in young children.

Why Do We Give Fluoride Treatment To Children?

It’s impossible to keep an eye on your kid 24 hours of every day. And if a kid wants to get his or her hands on some sweets, there most certainly are plenty of ways of doing so. Early tooth decay is relatively common, largely due to the fact that sweets are very difficult to avoid. Match that with the fact that kids tend to consume more sugar than most adults. Yet their teeth are far less developed and more vulnerable.

It’s for this reason that we apply fluoride to younger patients. Fluoride is most crucial between the ages of 6 and 16. It’s within those years that permanent teeth first come in and go through the process of developing. Most people’s teeth reach full development at the age of 16. At this point they can usually resist plaque, bacteria, and acids well enough to not require additional treatment from the dentist.

Grown Ups Need Fluoride Too

In addition to the direct application that dentists apply to younger patients, it’s also found in toothpaste and mouthwash. Some adults also elect to continue fluoride treatment into their later years just to be safe. After all, it’s not just children who suffer from tooth decay. Some studies even suggest that fighting tooth decay later in life is as important as protecting teeth in developing stages.

Pediatric Dental Associates offers pediatric dentist Mahwah services. We will make it our priority that your child receives the best pediatric dental treatment possible. Our staff has been specially trained to work with children to ensure that they feel right at home whenever coming to the dentist’s office. We provide services all through Ridgewood, New Jersey and we would love to add you and your child to our growing PDA family.

For more information on our services, you contact us today at 201-652-7020.