We all have calcium fluoride in our bodies. It is mainly found in bone and teeth and the proper amount of it makes teeth strong by hardening the tooth enamel and preventing initiation of dental caries and tooth decay resulting from acid contained in sugars and the breakdown of carbohydrates. Lack of it, on the other hand, can danger the health of our bones and teeth. For kids under 6 years old, fluoride is essential for development of permanent teeth and that makes it vital for kids between 6 and 16 years old to have enough intake of fluoride in order to have healthy, strong teeth and far less cavities. Topical fluoride -- from toothpastes, mouth rinses, and fluoride treatments -- are important in fighting tooth decays in adults as well.

Fluoride in small amounts can reduce tooth decays. Adding fluoride to tap water has helped reducing the tooth cavities in children by 50 - 60%. These are the amounts of fluoride needed to be taken daily for each age group as recommended by The Food and Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine:
Infants

    * 0 - 6 months: 0.01 milligrams mg/day
    * 7 - 12 months: 0.5 mg/day

Children

    * 1 - 3 years: 0.7 mg/day
    * 4 - 8 years: 1.0 mg/day
    * 9 - 13 years: 2.0 mg/day

Adolescents and Adults

    * Males age 14 to 18 years: 3.0 mg/day
    * Males over 18 years: 4.0 mg/day
    * Females over 14 years: 3.0 mg/day

As a family dentist I suggest you meet the required intake of fluoride (and all the other essential minerals and vitamins) by having a balanced diet with variety of foods.
As a kids dentist I suggest using fluoride toothpaste when your kids become preschool-age. Use only a small amount of the toothpaste. Swallowing too much fluoride can leave permanent stains on the teeth (enamel hypermineralization). Your family dentist or your kids dentist can help you determine if you and your child are getting enough fluoride. 

Most people are not even aware of their bad breath condition, at least until someone tells them about it. Bad breath or Halitosis can be caused by certain foods, tobacco products or a medical condition such as Xerostomia (dry mouth condition).

When some foods such as garlic, onion, cheese, meat products and dairy products (generally high protein products), and drinks such as sodas and orange juice are absorbed into blood stream, they are transferred to lungs and expelled. Brushing and flossing is not of much help in this case and the odor continues until these foods are eliminated by the body.
Also when foods remain in mouth, between teeth, on the tongue or around the gums they can rot and be a cause of bad breath. That is why brushing and flossing several times a day is highly recommended by family dentists and kids dentists at Culver City Dentist.
Xerostomia or dry mouth condition can be caused by some medications, continuously breathing through the mouth or in some cases a problem with salivary gland. In any case the flow of saliva, which is essential for cleaning the mouth and removing food particles in the mouth decreases. Family dentists at Los Angeles Dentist suggest increasing your fluid intake or using sugarless candies and in some cases prescribe artificial saliva to cure dry mouth condition.

Chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, an infection in the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal disturbance and even liver or kidney ailment are some medical conditions that can be causes of Halitosis.
In most cases bad breath is caused by oral bacteria. Sulfur compounds, which have bad odor, are part of wastes of these bacteria and even a very thin layer of plaque provides an ideal environment for the bacteria to live and grow.   

Maintaining oral and dental health is very important in controlling Halitosis. Schedule regular checkups and cleanings with a dentist at our dental office in West Los Angeles to prevent any dental and gum diseases. Brush at least twice and floss at least once a day.

Oral thrush happens when a kind of fungus (Candida albicans) accumulates on the lining of the mouth. It causes creamy white lesions on tongue or inner cheeks that can be painful and bleed when being scraped. These lesions can spread to the roof of the mouth, gums, or even back of the throat. Cottage cheese-like lesions, cracking at the corners of the mouth, cottony feeling in the mouth, pain and loss of taste are other symptoms of oral thrush. Although it occurs in people who wear dentures as well, kids dentists report Oral thrush in babies more than any other group. Oral thrush usually happens in people with weakened immune system caused by diseases or some drugs and in people whose natural balance of microorganisms is disturbed by antibiotics. People who have HIV/AIDS, cancer or diabetes are more susceptible to oral thrush because of their weakened immune system and in case of uncontrolled diabetes, because of the excess amount of sugar in their saliva. Oral thrush has been seen in people who smoke and people who have dry mouth conditions as well. Candida fungus naturally exists in healthy people. If the immune system is weakened, these bacteria overgrow and cause infection. Kids dentist report oral thrush in a large group of infants, probably because their immune system is not fully developed yet. If you have oral thrush and it's because of wearing dentures, consult with your dentist. Remember to remove your dentures and thoroughly clean them at bed time. Your dentist might recommend an antimicrobial mouth rinse to use as disinfectant for your dentures. As a kids dentist and family dentist, I recommend practicing proper oral hygiene as the best prevention for oral thrush and other oral diseases. Regular dental visits are also very important, especially if you wear dentures. Dentures need to be adjusted every once in a while and your dentist can check for signs of fungus infection. Based on your age and severity of your symptoms your dentist will suggest a specific course of dental treatment to cure oral thrush.