Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is a natural mineral found in water and many foods that plays an important role in preventing cavities and strengthening tooth enamel. At Golden Kids Dental & Orthodontics, we provide preventive pediatric dental care and professional fluoride treatments for children throughout Lakewood, Arvada, Evergreen, Wheat Ridge, Morrison, West Pleasant View, and surrounding Colorado communities.

The American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommend fluoride as one of the safest and most effective ways to help protect children’s teeth against cavities and tooth decay. As part of your child’s routine pediatric dental cleaning and exam, our team provides fluoride treatments every 6 months to help keep growing smiles healthy and strong.

Benefits of Fluoride for Children

Fluoride helps:

Strengthen developing tooth enamel
Prevent cavities and tooth decay
Repair early stages of enamel damage
Reduce sensitivity
Protect permanent and baby teeth

Fluoride is especially important for children because their teeth are still developing and may be more vulnerable to cavities.

Fluoride Toothpaste for Children

The ADA recommends that children begin using fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first tooth erupts. Using the proper amount of toothpaste helps safely protect your child’s teeth while supporting healthy oral development.

Recommended fluoride toothpaste amounts include:

Children under age 3: A small smear the size of a grain of rice
Children over age 3: A pea sized amount

Parents should assist or supervise brushing to ensure children use the appropriate amount and develop healthy brushing habits.

Drinking Water with Fluoride

Drinking fluoridated water is another important source of cavity prevention for children. Many cities and municipalities add fluoride to tap water to help support community oral health.

If your local water supply does not contain fluoride, bottled water with added fluoride may be recommended. Since many bottled waters do not contain fluoride, it is important to check labels carefully.

General fluoride water recommendations include:

Children ages 1 to 3: Approximately 2 to 4 ounces daily
Children over age 3: Approximately 4 to 6 ounces daily

If you are unsure whether your child is receiving enough fluoride, our pediatric dental team is happy to answer questions and provide personalized recommendations.

Professional Fluoride Treatments

Professionally applied fluoride treatments are an important part of preventive pediatric dental care. Research shows that fluoride treatments performed during routine dental visits can significantly reduce the risk of cavities in children and teens.

At Golden Kids Dental & Orthodontics, professional fluoride treatments are included as part of regular pediatric dental checkups and cleanings.

Fluoride Varnish for Young Children

Young children often receive fluoride varnish treatments, which involve applying a thin protective coating directly to the teeth. Fluoride varnish:

Sets quickly on the teeth
Has a pleasant taste and smell
Helps strengthen enamel and prevent cavities
Is safe and effective for infants, toddlers, and children

The varnish may temporarily leave a slight yellow appearance on the teeth until brushing the following morning. To maximize the benefits of treatment, children should avoid brushing until the next day.

Topical Fluoride Gel for Older Children & Teens

Older children and teens may receive topical fluoride gel treatments. This flavored fluoride solution is carefully brushed onto the teeth for approximately 1 minute and then thoroughly suctioned away.

Following treatment, patients should avoid eating or drinking for approximately 30 minutes to allow the fluoride to fully absorb into the enamel.

Preventive Pediatric Dental Care in Lakewood & Surrounding Communities

At Golden Kids Dental & Orthodontics, we believe preventive dentistry is the foundation of long term oral health. Our experienced pediatric dental team helps children throughout Lakewood, Arvada, Evergreen, Wheat Ridge, Morrison, and nearby Colorado communities develop healthy habits while protecting their smiles from cavities and dental disease.

In addition to fluoride treatments, we recommend: