Teaching your child to swish as well as brush can help prevent cavities -- in fact, it might help set your child up for a cavity-free lifetime. Check with your child's dentist to see if your son or daughter is ready to start rinsing and whether there's a particular product the dentist recommends. By the time they are age six or so, most children can learn to use a fluoride mouth rinse correctly -- by swishing and then spitting, rather than swallowing.
Look for a fluoride mouth rinse that says it is safe for children, and check to see that the bottle has the "ADA Accepted" seal on it, which means the American Dental Association has found that the rinse can help prevent and reduce tooth decay when it is used according to directions.
Teaching your child to swish as well as brush can help prevent
cavities -- in fact, it might help set your child up for a
cavity-free lifetime. Check with your child's dentist to see if
your son or daughter is ready to start rinsing and...
More
Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Teaching your child to swish as well as brush can help prevent cavities -- in fact, it might help set your child up for a cavity-free lifetime. Check with your child's dentist to see if your son or daughter is ready to start rinsing and whether there's a particular product the dentist recommends. By the time they are age six or so, most children can learn to use a fluoride mouth rinse correctly -- by swishing and then spitting, rather than swallowing.
Stacy Wiegman answered:Fluoride rinses are safe for children if used as directed. These prescription rinses can be very helpful in reducing cavities and tooth decay. However, always ask your dentist or doctor if a fluoride rinse is right for your child. If large amounts are swallowed, the fluoride can be harmful. So, monitor your youngster while using a fluoride rinse. After the age of 13, it may no longer be needed.
