The Ins & Outs of Fluoride

The Importance of Fluoride

What can fluoride do for your dental health? Fluoride is an important part of preventative dental maintenance. It wards off dental cavities by allowing your teeth to become stronger against acids in the mouth. These mouth acids are caused by plaque bacteria which become mixed with sugar. When this happens, vital minerals that the teeth need to stay strong are diminished. This process, called demineralization, leads to tooth decay if the minerals are not replenished.

Fluoride for Children

Fluoride not only repairs the surface damage of the enamel, it strengthens developing teeth as well. According to Web MD, when fluoride is given to children younger than six, the fluoride actually becomes a part of the healthy development of their permanent teeth. They explain further by saying that it is important for children to receive topical fluoride treatments from 6 months to 16 years of age.

 

Fluoride Treatments

There are several groups of patients which may benefit the most from fluoride treatments performed at their family dentist. Oral care specialists have fluoride treatments in their offices with much higher concentrations than are available over the counter. If you or someone you know has the following conditions, it may be especially beneficial getting fluoride treatments from the family dentist:

• Those who already have gum disease,
• Individuals who have had cavities before,
• People suffering from dry mouth conditions,
• Dental patients who have braces, bridges, or crowns.

Fluoride treatments are typically covered by insurance for children 1 or 2 times a year and are an affordable addition to adult cleanings as well.

Fluoride and Safety

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in water and different types of foods. Many people wonder about the safety of fluoride in their water supply. City drinking water generally is not at risk of having too much fluoride. Higher levels of natural fluoride are found more often in well water. Is fluoride completely safe? According to Web MD, fluoride is safe when used at the dose intended. However, fluoride can be toxic when ingested in high doses. For this reason, keeping fluoride products out of the reach of little hands is an important precaution. However, used responsibly as an appropriate part of an oral care regimen, fluoride can be both beneficial and safe.

Ready for Fluoride?

Ask your dentist or dental hygienist what options are right for you! They might recommend that you have a fluoride treatment in the office or they might suggest a few brands of tooth pastes that contain fluoride for daily use. The perfect time to ask is at your next dental cleaning. Give your teeth some TLC and request an appointment or give us a call at 281-646-8888.

Sources: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/fluoride-treatment