We all wait for our child’s first tooth to come out. It is considered a milestone and securing those little pearls should be at the very top of your priority list. But what if the safety step you took for preventing cavities leads to your child’s teeth getting stained? This is the dental health dilemma of fluoride. What is Fluoride and why is it used? Fluoride assists in securing a child’s teeth from cavities and reversing early stages of decay. One of the main sources of this compound is drinking tap water. Apart from this, adults and children have fluoride options in toothpaste, dental care products, mouthwash, and office treatments. However, the problem begins, when fluoride is used excessively, particularly by children younger than eight. Too much of this compound during early childhood, when the child’s permanent teeth are forming underneath the gums, can lead to dental fluorosis, discoloration of the teeth. But, once the child’s permanent teeth have erupted, fluoride does not...