Many people have heard that fluoride is important for dental health but are unsure exactly what it does or how important it is to a healthy mouth and smile. At Mooring Dental, Dr. Sean Mooring and his team are here to provide the support and information you need on your journey to good oral health. Fluoride is essential in maintaining strong dental health by effectively preventing cavities. By incorporating fluoride into your daily oral hygiene routine and receiving professional treatments, you can prioritize your dental well-being and achieve a healthy, confident smile. Join us as we discuss the important role fluoride plays, how to incorporate it into your oral hygiene routine, and dispel some myths you may have heard about it.
Understanding the Role of Fluoride in Dental Health
Fluoride plays a crucial role in dental health by strengthening your tooth enamel to help prevent cavities. In addition to helping prevent enamel loss, fluoride also works to repair previously damaged enamel by promoting the remineralization process.
How Does Fluoride Strenghten Teeth?
Fluoride impacts tooth enamel by promoting the remineralization process, which helps repair damaged areas and enhance the strength of your teeth. Remineralization with fluoride helps to replenish calcium and phosphate that has been depleted in damaged tooth enamel, effectively rebuilding and strengthening the enamel structure.
The Function of Fluoride in Preventing Cavities
Tooth decay and cavities occur when the hard outer surface (enamel) of the tooth is damaged by the acid produced as bacteria in the mouth that breaks-down sugars, leading to the creation of small holes in the tooth. If left untreated, cavities will continue to grow and cause major structural damage to the affected tooth.
Fluoride helps to harden the tooth’s enamel, making it much more difficult for cavities to form. When combined with a good oral hygiene routine, you can help to proactively prevent cavities and maintain your dental health. If tooth decay is in its early stage, fluoride can even help to reverse it so it doesn’t continue to progress!
The Benefits of Fluoride
Fluoride use has numerous benefits for both children and adults, including:
- Strengthening teeth
- Preventing tooth decay and cavities
- Reducing tooth sensitivity
- Improving oral health
- Reducing the need for more costly and invasive dental treatments later on
Sources of Fluoride
Incorporating fluoride into your oral health routine is a simple yet effective way to enhance your dental health. There are many opportunities to expose your teeth to this important mineral. Our team at Mooring Dental will help you determine a plan suited to your unique circumstances.
Incorporating Fluoride into Your Daily Routine
There are many products available to add fluoride to your daily oral hygiene routine, including fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash. It is important to use these products as directed.
Many towns and cities also add fluoride to their drinking water supply due to it’s significant benefits in improving oral health. Check with your local government to find out if your water contains fluoride.
Professional Fluoride Treatment
Professional fluoride treatments have the benefit of providing higher concentrations of fluoride which allows for more powerful and long-lasting effects. This is particularly important for patients at higher risk of cavities. There are several types of products used for professional fluoride treatment, including:
- Rinse
- Gel
- Foam
- Varnish
Although many people associate in-office fluoride treatment with children, it can be beneficial for people of all ages. Dr. Mooring and his team can discuss whether this treatment is right for you!
Debunking Fluoride Myths
Fluoride has long been a topic of debate and misunderstanding, leading to the spread of several myths that promote misinformation and can overshadow its benefits for dental health.
Myth #1: Fluoride is Unnatural
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral and is organically found in all water. The fluoride used in water fluoridation programs and dental products is derived from natural sources, such as calcium fluoride, and is treated to ensure that it is safe and effective.
Myth #2: Fluoride is Unsafe
Extensive research has shown that fluoride, when used appropriately, is safe and effective for dental health and that there is no link to an increased risk for cancer or other disease. Numerous studies conducted over several decades indicate that fluoride helps to prevent tooth decay, which is a critical concern for both children and adults.
Organizations such as the American Dental Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization have all endorsed the use of fluoride as a safe public health measure.
Myth #3: Fluoride is Dangerous for Children
For many people, the source of this myth stems from the warning on fluoride toothpaste stating “keep out of reach of children.” The reality is that any substance (even water) can be dangerous if too much is consumed.
This warning is in place to protect children from consuming large amounts of fluoride toothpaste (which has a much higher concentration of fluoride than drinking water does) which can lead to a toxic dose. When oral hygiene products containing fluoride are used as directed, there is no concern for receiving too high of a dose.
Ready To Protect Your Dental Health?
At Mooring Dental, Dr. Sean Mooring and his experienced team are dedicated to providing top-notch dental care in Clayton, NC. If you have any concerns about your teeth or are due for a general exam and teeth cleaning, schedule an appointment today by giving us a call at 919-213-8490!