Fluoride has been one the most important breakthroughs in preventative dental care in the entire history of general dentistry. It occurs naturally in the earth's crust and is present in almost all ground water to some degree.
However, fluoride does not occur in sufficient natural quantities to protect teeth from decay. Many cities in the United States now add it to city water in order to raise it to levels that will help prevent tooth decay.
Fluoride benefits people of every age group. Early in childhood, when teeth are forming, fluoride will bond with the structure of each tooth. This makes the enamel surface harder and more resistant to decay. Adults also benefit from fluoride. In the early stages of cavity development, before the cavity actually becomes visible to the naked eye, fluoride can help rebuild the enamel layer of the tooth.
Fluoride also increases dental health by strengthening tooth enamel itself. This makes tooth enamel much more resistant to tooth decay. It also reduces the amount of acid produced by the bacteria on your teeth.
Children who drink fluoride water, or brush with fluoride toothpaste when their teeth are development, will have shallower grooves on their teeth. Plaque will gain less of a foothold on their teeth, and will be more easily removed.
Plaque is a thin, sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on human teeth. Research over the past 50 years has proven that fluoride water will reduce tooth decay by 40-60%.
Dentists sometimes prescribe fluoride treatments to help eliminate the bacteria that cause periodontal disease. Fluoride treatments are also used to treat decay on tooth roots and to minimize root sensitivity for older adults.
For these reasons, we recommend fluoride toothpaste for each and every patient. We may recommend that fluoride treatments for you to use at home. Depending on your situation, these could include fluoride drops, tablets, rinses, gels, or high-concentration fluoride toothpaste.
We may also apply fluoride foam, varnish, or gels in our office. These treatments are an important part of every prevention program. When combined with good dental habits of brushing and flossing, fluoride water, toothpaste, and specialized treatments can dramatically reduce cavities and keep your mouth healthy.
Many reports have been published all over the world that have raised the question of fluoride safety. After so many years of research, the consensus of the scientific community has been that fluoride toothpaste and correctly fluoridated water, salt, and milk all offer great assistance in the prevention of tooth decay. To date, no harmful side effects have been proven to exist.
No evidence exists either fluoride water causes harmful side effects. Opponents of fluoridation claim they have hard evidence that fluoride added to water is harmful. However, science has NOT confirmed these allegations. Throughout the world, more than 300 million people drink fluoridated water supplies. Millions use fluoride toothpaste three times a day.
In the United States, over half of our population drinks fluorinated water and has witnessed a dramatic increase in dental health over the past 50 years.
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