Dental Health & Fluoride: What to Know
When visiting the dentist, you may be asked at the end of a dental hygiene appointment or routine dental cleaning whether or not you would like a fluoride treatment. Fluoride treatments are recommended by your dentist and dental hygienist because fluoride is an effective way to prevent tooth decay (source). This treatment is an important element in your oral health routine, but is perhaps less commonly understood than other well-established hygiene habits.
What is fluoride?
Fluoride is a common, naturally occurring mineral released from rocks into soil, air, and water, including rivers, lakes and even the ocean. However, the natural occurrence of fluoride in water and other consumables is usually not enough to prevent tooth decay. Because of the benefits provided, fluoride is added to drinking water as a public health measure to reduce the prevalence and severity of cavities.
In fact, in 1945 Grand Rapids, Michigan, was the first US city to fluoridate its public water system. Over the course of the subsequent 5 years, the schoolchildren of Grand Rapids were discovered to have significantly fewer cavities than other children from surrounding communities without fluoridated water. Presently, approximately 75% of the US population drinks water with enough fluoride to help prevent tooth decay.
On average, 75% of a person’s fluoride intake comes from drinking water with some additional fluoride coming from sources such as food and beverages made with fluoridated water.
How does fluoride prevent tooth decay?
Essentially, tooth decay is damage to or the erosion of tooth enamel. When fluoride and water mix with saliva, the mineral is absorbed by dental plaque and then bonds with weakened tooth enamel. This process can prevent or even reverse tooth decay!
What are the benefits of fluoride?
Strengthens tooth enamel
Makes teeth less vulnerable to tooth decay (cavities) or other dental infections
Attacks harmful bacteria
Improves your overall health - tooth decay can lead to additional health concerns, so improving your oral health can improve your overall wellbeing (see our article on “The Mouth-Body Connection”)
How much fluoride is necessary?
Because much of the drinking water in the US is treated with fluoride, drinking tap water and using fluoridated toothpaste can provide the amount of fluoride needed to help prevent tooth decay. However, if you drink bottled water regularly, use various kinds of filtration systems or do not drink the recommended daily amount of water from a fluoridated source, then you may not be receiving the optimal amount of fluoride.
Because the ADA recommendations vary based on your risk level, age and also the type of fluoride used, please consult a dentist to ensure that you and your family members are receiving the right amount of fluoride to prevent tooth decay.
If you have any questions about fluoride treatment or using fluoridated dental hygiene products (such as mouthwash or toothpaste), please ask our dentists at your next dental appointment. WoodSprings Dentistry believes that everyone should have a confident, healthy smile and we are committed to providing honest, personalized dental care in order to help individuals and families achieve and maintain a lifetime of oral and dental health.
At WoodSprings Dentistry, Drs. Samantha and James Tejada provide family and cosmetic dentistry for The Woodlands, TX, and Spring, TX, communities. Call our office today or request an appointment online. No insurance but still looking for quality, affordable dental care in The Woodlands or Spring, Tx? Our annual membership plans include fluoride treatments. Learn more about payment options and our annual membership plans here.