If you’ve read any do-it-yourself health blogs recently, you might think of fluoride as a scary chemical that dentists and the government have been working together to push onto an unsuspecting society. However, there are great reasons that dentists still recommend and use fluoride with their patients during cleanings. In today’s blog, your Conroe, TX, dentist will discuss the benefits and uses of this naturally-occurring mineral, and why it is often called “nature’s cavity fighter.”
What Is It?
Fluoride is not a harmful chemical like some have made it out to be. In actuality, it is a naturally-occurring mineral found in almost every water source: lakes, rivers, wells, and oceans. Its natural properties allow it to strengthen the hard outer layer of your teeth, the enamel, making it harder for acid to break down the enamel and cause tooth decay and cavities. Fluoride is so good at this that it even works as teeth are still developing below the surface of your gums. The fluoride that a child takes in through food, drink, and supplements as their teeth are growing helps to put them at a lower risk for tooth decay. After your teeth have broken through the surface of your gums, and for the rest of your life, fluoride is able to remineralize your enamel. That means that if your teeth begin to break down due to decay, fluoride can actually help build the enamel back up more quickly than your teeth would by themselves, and can even reverse early signs of decay.
That’s Cool, How Do I Get It?
For about 70 years, community water systems have added fluoride to their water supplies for the anti-cavity benefits. About 75% of the drinking water in the US is fluoridated, so you are likely getting some of the helpful mineral when you drink water throughout the day. However, the American Dental Association recommends brushing with toothpaste that contains fluoride, which is available at any drugstore. Mouthwash with fluoride can also be bought at drugstores and used at home, but many of these contain large amounts of sugar, so ask your dentist for a recommendation the next time you’re in the office.
If you feel you are at a higher risk of cavities, you can visit your dentist to receive a professional fluoride treatment with a gel, foam, or rinse. This has often been done as a last step to a cleaning, but it is usually optional for adults, so make sure to opt-in at the end of your next cleaning and exam.
Need Help Rebuilding Your Smile?
At the Dental Centre of Conroe, we want you to have a healthy, strong smile. To find out more about the benefits of fluoride, or if you are due for a cleaning, schedule a visit with the Dental Centre of Conroe by calling (936) 441-4600. We serve patients from Conroe, TX, and the neighboring communities.
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