Fluoride Use in Adolescents

Fluoride is a mineral that plays an essential role in oral health. In fact, the significant reduction in American tooth decay in recent decades can be attributed to a greater availability of fluoride in public water supplies, toothpaste, and other resources. When it comes in contact with the teeth, fluoride helps protect the enamel from acid and plaque bacteria. In some cases, it can even reverse tooth decay in its earliest stages.
Despite the benefits of fluoride, tooth decay is still common, especially among teenagers. The Centers for Disease Control reports that cavities can be found in more than half of young teens and two-thirds of older teens over age 16. Many of those teens are deficient in fluoride, either due to a lack of public water fluoridation or the use of bottled water. So how can parents ensure their teens are getting the fluoride they need to facilitate strong, healthy teeth?


Monitor Fluoride Exposure
Dr. Bander, Dr. Baldwin and our team recommend you start by measuring your teen’s fluoride exposure. Make sure you purchase fluoridated toothpaste for your household, and find out if your tap water is fluoridated. If your teen primarily consumes bottled water, examine the bottle to determine whether fluoride has been added. The majority of bottled waters are not supplemented with fluoride, but those that are will be clearly labeled.


Fluoride Supplementation
Dr. Bander and Dr. Baldwin may recommend topical fluoride treatments at routine dental exams. These treatments are painless for your teen and may help establish stronger enamel that is more resistant to plaque and tooth decay. If you have a public water supply that is non-fluoridated, we may recommend fluoride supplementation between visits. These can be administered as drops, tablets, or vitamins.
Keep in mind that fluoride is critical for children and teens under the age of 16. Be proactive about your teen’s oral health by speaking with us about your family’s fluoride needs at your next dental visit.
For more information about fluoride, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bander or Dr. Baldwin, please give us a call at 616-949-5980!

Practicing Good Dental Hygiene at all Ages

To keep your teeth healthy as long as possible, it is important to practice good dental hygiene. Age and lifestyle can easily change your oral hygiene needs, but regularly visiting your family dentist can help you learn new hygiene techniques to better address your specific dental needs.

We’re happy to support healthy smiles by providing our patients with age-appropriate tips for thoroughly cleaning their teeth each day and night and preventing tooth decay.

Pediatric Dental Needs

Children are at a higher risk for dental caries (cavities) as their teeth are more porous and pitted and can trap bacteria. Small children may not have the dexterity to properly clean teeth with floss and therefore require assistance from their parents to get a healthy smile. By teaching kids how to care for their baby teeth, children develop a strong foundation of hygiene habits for the healthy development of permanent teeth.

Teens and Young Adults

Around adolescence, wisdom teeth may begin to surface. Failure to clean correctly around erupting molars can cause a bacterial infection known, as bits of food and bacteria become trapped. Maintaining proper dental hygiene can help reduce the risk of infection as wisdom teeth begin to create obstacles for teens’ oral health. 

In addition to wisdom teeth complications, teens and young adults who participate in school sports may find themselves at higher risk for dental trauma. If left untreated, dental emergencies can cause further complications and require extensive restorations. Seeking care for dental trauma, and keeping up regular visits so your dentist can keep an eye on wisdom teeth, is important for oral health.

Adults and Senior Dental Patients

Routine wear and tear can easily take a toll on dentition for mature patients. Regular visits to your dentist help identify dental problems, such as tooth decay or gum disease and worn-down teeth. In the event that these conditions are present, professional dental attention can limit damage and restore oral health.

Age can also put individuals at greater risk for tooth loss. This can be a direct result of insufficient dental hygiene and requires immediate attention. While some may choose to undergo restorative dentistry for cosmetic reasons, others may find that restorations like dental implants or crowns offer functional benefits as well.

Regardless of age or dental condition, actively practicing preventive dentistry throughout life can help you keep your smile beautiful, healthy, and functional. Contact our Grand Rapids dental office to learn more about age-appropriate preventive care and dental restorations.