Friday, January 22, 2016

Fluoride and Its Benefits

What exactly is Fluoride? 
While most people don't consider fluoride in their everyday life, it has caused concern for some individuals. Even though this opinion is fairly rare, it is still good to brush up on what exactly fluoride is and some of its uses. To start, fluoride is an ion derived from the element fluorine. It is naturally found in water, usually in very small quantities.


Why Is Fluoride in My Water? 
Fluoride has been studied in conjunction with dentistry since the end of the 19th century. In 1900, fluoride was deemed as not only safe, as it was naturally found in water, food, and drinks, but even beneficial. By the mid-1940's, fluoride was added to the community water lines in an effort to protect enamel and improve global health.  



Is Fluoride Safe to Ingest? 
Cavities were once rampant in the United States before 1900 and caused concern for health care professionals and patients alike. According to the American Dental Association and numerous sources, fluoride, in small doses, is perfectly safe to consume. In general, there is about 0.7 ppm (Parts Per Million) of fluoride in the water supply. Fluoride is tasteless in this quantity and perfectly healthy.


What Does Fluoride Do to My Teeth? 
Thanks to fluoride, dental health has improved greatly by simply adding it into the community water lines. Cavities are far less common and this can be attributed to better habits that include fluoride such as brushing teeth and rinsing the mouth with water. It is also found in toothpaste and some types of mouth wash. Fluoride helps teeth fight off acidic bacteria that eat away at enamel by initiating remineralisation. Fluoride not only protects your teeth, but it promotes the growth and rebuilding of enamel to create better, stronger teeth. Helpful tip: children don't need as much fluoride as adults so it is best to limit their intake to about a pea-sized dab of toothpaste.

Source: American Dental Association.



Common Practices: 
In order to protect your enamel, it's best to avoid acidic foods and use fluoride in your every day dental routines by rinsing with water, using toothpaste with fluoride, and occasionally swishing with fluoride mouth wash. We also offer fluoride treatments in conjunction with routine cleanings, according to the Doctor's recommendations. If you feel that your enamel has been worn down or you have any questions concerning fluoride and the health of your teeth, feel free to call one of our three offices to schedule a consult. We are here to address any of your concerns and to provide you with a stress-free dental experience.


North location on Hymeadow Drive: (512) 250-5012 
Central location on Jollyville Road: (512) 346-8424 
South location on William Cannon Drive: (512) 445-5811


2 comments:

  1. Fluoride is an element that prevent dental caries and decay. So the mineral fluoride should be adequate in the diet. I always appreciate things concerning about dental health. I always adopt plans that cover the cost of dental implants.

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