Fluoride use should also be discussed.It is important that the dental hygienist and dentist know the amount of fluoride exposure their pediatric patients have. Hydroxyapatite[Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2] is the primary component of the enamel.
During amelogenesis, ingested low levels of fluoride (from food, water,or supplements) can replace the hydroxyl group in some of the hydroxyapatite crystals. The resultant enamel has sites of fluorapatite [Ca10(PO4)6F2], or fluoridated hydroxyapatite,which makes the child’s enamel more resistant to dietary acids. Additionally,enamel in erupting teeth is permeable to the minerals in saliva. Garcia-Godoy reports that enamel
will mature with more acid-resistant surface hydroxyapatite and fluoridated hydroxyapatite in a salivary environment with available fluoride. Topical applications of fluoride(from toothpastes, varnishes,rinses, gels, and other sources) are expected to protect the outer surface of enamel from acidic challenges in fully erupted teeth