Why Fluoride is Important to Dental Health
Our bodies contain minerals that are essential for good health. One such mineral is fluoride, found in soil, rocks, and groundwater. You also have it in your teeth.
Maintaining healthy amounts of fluoride in your teeth contributes to better dental health. It can also prevent many emergency trips to the dentist. You’re more susceptible to cavities and serious dental complications without adequate fluoride.
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a chemical ion of fluorine, one of the most common elements within the earth’s surface. Fluoride is present in many of the foods we eat:
- Tea
- Water and food cooked in water
- Oatmeal
- Raisins
- Potatoes
- Canned seafood and fish eaten with the bones
- Infant formula
When children and adults consume fluoride through food or fluoridated water, it enters the bloodstream, promoting healthy tooth growth and protecting the enamel.
How Does Fluoride Promote Dental Health?
Fluoride enriches your tooth enamel, providing a natural defense. However, acids in the sugars you consume often attack tooth enamel, slowly wearing it away. Weakened enamel leaves the tooth’s surface open to cavities and decay.
Fortunately, through eating and drinking, we can redeposit minerals like fluoride through remineralization. Fluorides can also become part of the saliva and help remineralize your teeth. In contrast, consuming too much sugar and other substances weakens enamel and contributes to demineralization.
Applications of Fluoride at Home
Many kinds of toothpaste and mouthwash contain fluoride. Children and adults should always brush with fluoride toothpaste and consider using a fluoride mouth rinse as well. Your dentist can recommend a brand or prescribe a special fluoride formula.
If you have children, ask your doctor or dentist about fluoride supplement tablets. They can give young teeth a healthy start.
How Often Do You Need Fluoride Treatments?
Your Cincinnati dentist can also give you a fluoride treatment during your next office visit. Fluoride treatments can speed up remineralization and improve the health and strength of your teeth. These treatments remineralize your teeth at much higher concentrations of fluoride than in foods, tap water, toothpaste, and mouthwash.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends getting a professional fluoride treatment every 3, 6, or 12 months. Based on your oral health, your dentist can suggest how often you may need them. Your Cincinnati dentist can offer topical fluoride treatments in foam, gel, or varnish form.
Finding a Cincinnati Dentist for Fluoride Treatments
You’re welcome to come by our office and schedule an appointment today. You can also call us at 513.489.8700. We’d be happy to discuss how a fluoride treatment can boost your dental health and enhance your smile.