Fluoride & YOU

We understand the dentist is not the ideal place you want to spend your time. Benjamin Franklin once said, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. That absolutely applies to your oral health! We have preventative measures to ensure easy maintenance for optimal oral health. For instance, to combat cavities and weakened enamel, one major preventative treatment for your teeth is fluoride. I’m sure you have noticed it on a tube of toothpaste before. Fluoride is a common ingredient in it! So, what is fluoride? What are the benefits? Lastly, how does it work?!

What IS Fluoride?

What  do water, plants, rocks, soil, your bones and your teeth have in common? Fluoride! It is a natural mineral. In dentistry it is used to help strengthen teeth and fight tooth decay. Although it does not taste great, the restorative properties are incredible!

The Benefits of Fluoride

Let’s continue to the benefits of fluoride! Fluoride helps rebuild weakened enamel and reverse early signs of tooth decay. It also inhibits growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth. This helps reduce the loss of minerals from enamel.  A drastic decline in missing teeth and decay is due to the introduction of fluoride to dental products and the expansion of water fluoridation. According to the Center for Disease Control, the average number of missing or decaying teeth declined by 68% from the late 1960’s to the early 1990’s.

How It Works

Lastly, how fluoride works! When carbohydrates and sugars are broken down they produce acids. Acids cause the loss of minerals in your teeth, and as a result, lead to weakened tooth structure. Therefore, weakened areas can become cavities. Fluoride aids in the remineralization of these areas and prevent tooth decay.

In conclusion, maintaining healthy teeth is easy! Being cavity free is easy! Using an American Dental Association approved fluoride toothpaste, drinking fluoridated water and having a fluoride treatment applied at your next dental cleaning. Always ask your dentist or your dental hygienist questions you may have about fluoride!