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Fluoride is well known, is the best friend of the teeth. Thanks to him, strengthens the enamel and reduce cavities. However, excess fluoride can cause white spots are harmless to health, but that would spoil the smile … Should we stop fluoride supplements? The French Union for Oral Health (the UFSBD) makes its first recommendations.

Fluoride helps strengthen the resistance of enamel to acid attack. This property has been for 30 years a key weapon for the improvement of the teeth of children and adolescents. Among the battery of measures adopted include the generalization of fluoridated toothpaste, the decision to fluoridate water in some states in the United States or Canada and that of adding fluoride to salt (since 1987 in France). The government has also encouraged parents to give their children fluoride tablets or drops. Better safe than sorry … the post was firmly told for years “Be attentive to the future of your children’s baby teeth, give them fluoride!”. This creed is no longer appropriate today …

The risk of “fluorosis”

A controversy was born in the United States a few years ago, has questioned the supplements in the form of tablets and drops. The overdose of fluoride can indeed cause white spots on teeth, “fluorosis”. Paradoxically, this condition affects the media pay more attention to dental hygiene and more favorable to the administration of fluoride, the wealthier classes who have diligently followed the instructions.

A study of the French Union Dental Oral allowed in 1998, relative to this risk. “It is low in France since the rate of children under 12 years affected by fluorosis is only 2.7%,” says its President, Dr. Patrick Hescot, also an expert of the World Health Organization. But to be tenuous, the risk is nonetheless to be considered. At the request of the Ministry of Health, UFSBD today published a series of recommendations on the subject.

A matter of dosage

The beneficial role of fluoride through toothpaste particular, should not be fundamentally challenged. However, it is essential to use with care supplements fluoride tablets, which must be reserved for children with high caries risk. They must be issued by the pediatrician, the doctor or dentist based on a specific individual fluoride balance. It should take into account the criteria as diverse as:

* The content of fluoride in tap water, mineral water used;
* The type of salt used;
* The products of oral hygiene used;
* Eating habits.

The UFSBD also recommends avoiding prenatal fluoride prescription drug during pregnancy and do not use fluoridated toothpaste before 3 years, then use a low fluoride toothpaste for children 3 to 6 years.

The tone is not in controversy in UFSBD and it is no question of storing the fluorine in the closet after years of loyal service. “It is simply reviewing the manner of use of fluoride, said Dr. Hescot, and book supplements in pill to children with high caries risk.” An evolution in terms of dental health has been permitted through the use mass of fluorine. Today, given the considerable improvement in the oral health of the French, it is time to refine its use.

What if fluorosis?

Tasks appear on your children’s teeth. The advice is common sense: go earlier than your dentist! Fluorosis is irreversible (enamel does not belong to reconstruct and return to its initial state), but its symptoms can be hidden through techniques of cosmetic dentistry. The dentist can also give you advice so that brothers and sisters of the child concerned keep themselves, teeth gleaming.

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