The Facts About Fluoride

The use of fluoride is a great way to keep your teeth healthy, but do you know much about it? In this article, we’re discussing: why fluoride is so beneficial to your oral health, how to use fluoride properly, and when to ask your dentist about fluoride supplements. 

What is Fluoride? 

If you didn’t know anything about it, you might think that fluoride was a synthetic chemical additive to many oral care products, however, it’s actually a naturally occurring mineral. It is in the Earth’s crust and other places throughout nature.

In the 1930s, Colgate explains, the effectiveness of fluoride in fighting cavities was discovered. Researchers found that children who grew up drinking naturally fluoridated water had less tooth decay than people living in areas without fluoridated water. Studies continuously show that when fluoride is in community tap water, tooth decay decreases. 

Community Water Fluoridation

Naturally, almost all water contains some fluoride. However, it’s often not enough to prevent tooth decay and protect the teeth. Fluoride can be added to drinking water, as a public health measure, to reduce cavities. Community water fluoridation is the process of adjusting the amount of fluoride in drinking water to a level recommended for preventing tooth decay. The CDC explains that while other fluoride-containing products, like toothpaste and mouthwash, are available and help prevent decay, community water fluoridation has been identified as the most cost-effective method of delivering fluoride to the public, reducing tooth decay by 25% in children and adults. 

Benefits of Fluoride 

The CDC lists the benefits of fluoride to include strengthening the teeth and supporting enamel. Further, it can also help people have: 

• Less cavities 
• Fewer severe cavities
• Less need for fillings and removing teeth
• Less pain and suffering due to tooth decay 

Supplements 

If you don’t live in an area with community water fluoridation, there are other ways to add more fluoride to your dental health routine. The American Dental Association lists that fluoride can also be delivered topically and systemically: 

• Topicals can strengthen teeth already present in the mouth, making them more resistant to decay. Further, topicals can promote remineralization of enamel and inhibit bacterial metabolism, reducing the growth of bad bacteria. Topicals can come in the form of toothpastes, gels, mouthiness, and professionally-applied therapies. 
• Systemic fluorides are those that can be ingested and become incorporated into forming tooth structures. These options can also offer topical protection because fluoride is present in saliva, which continually bathes the teeth. Systemic options can come in the form of water fluoridation and dietary supplements like tablets, drops, or lozenges. 

Protecting the Teeth 

We learn more and more each year about the relationship between oral health and overall health. We know that the health of the teeth, gums, and jaw can give insight to the overall health and function of the body. Further, studies show that poor dental hygiene at home can cause tooth decay, infections, and other issues that can result in cardiovascular health issues, diabetes, osteoporosis, and more. Your oral health is important. 

While fluoride is a great way to protect the teeth, it can’t work alone. To have a healthy smile, you also have to have a good dental care health routine at home. You should be:

• Brushing your teeth twice per day, two minutes each time. For best results, we recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. 
• Floss your teeth once a day to remove plaque and food debris from inbewteen the tight spaces between the teeth — where the toothbrush can’t reach. 
• Use a mouthwash to clean the entire mouth and further coat the teeth with decay protection. 
• Visit Dr. Kevin Varley and the Stonebrook Family Dental team for routine cleanings and exams. For healthy patients, regular checkups every six months are enough. However, for patients with current dental health issues, more frequent checkups might be recommended.
• Drink enough water each day and eat a healthy, well-rounded diet. Limit the amount of sweet, starchy foods you consume to protect your smile. 

Make an Appointment with Stonebrook Family Dental

If you want to learn more about what fluoride can do for your smile or are overdue for a checkup, call Stonebrook Family Dental to make an appointment. We are committed to helping you receive the treatment you need that will give you the smile you want and deserve. Conveniently located in Aurora, we’re here for your dental health needs: (303)-872-7907.