Flouride and Children

Question: Dr. Hawks, do you ever see small children with tooth decay?

 

Answer: Sadly, the answer is yes. I have seen children in my office as young as two years old with tooth decay. One common factor among these children is insufficient concentrations of fluoride in their drinking water. Studies show that fluoride added to drinking water in appropriate concentrations can reduce the incidence of dental decay in children by as much as 50%. Children from families who get their drinking water from a private well are most likely not getting any fluoride in their water. In those cases, parents should consider giving their children some form of fluoride supplement. Call your child’s dentist or pediatrician today to ask about the different options available.