3 Things You Should Know About Fluoride

Fluoride can provide several benefits when it comes to orthodontic problems. There are a few important things you should know about fluoride, such as the benefits of fluoride, fluoride treatments and use of fluoride with children.

Below are 3 things you should know about fluoride:

Benefits of Fluoride
Before teeth break through the gums, the fluoride taken in from foods, beverages, and dietary supplements makes tooth enamel (the hard surface of the tooth) stronger, making it easier to resist tooth decay. This provides what is called a “systemic” benefit. After teeth erupt, fluoride helps rebuild (remineralize) weakened tooth enamel and reverses early signs of tooth decay. When you brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste or use other fluoride dental products, the fluoride is applied to the surface of your teeth. This provides what is called a “topical” benefit. In addition, the fluoride you take in from foods and beverages continues to provide a topical benefit because it becomes part of your saliva, constantly bathing the teeth with tiny amounts of fluoride that help rebuild weakened tooth enamel. Source: MouthHealthy

Fluoride Treatments
If your drinking water is fluoridated, then brushing regularly with fluoride toothpaste is considered sufficient for most adults with healthy teeth. 43 of the 50 largest U.S. cities add fluoride to their public water supplies to help reduce tooth decay. You can find out if your water is fluoridated by calling your local water district, or by having your water analyzed if it comes from a private well. Source: Colgate

Fluoride with Children
Fluoride is absorbed easily into tooth enamel, especially in children’s developing teeth. In young children, excess fluoride intake can cause dental fluorosis, typically a harmless cosmetic discoloring or mottling of the enamel, visible as chalky white specks and lines or pitted and brown stained enamel on teeth. Parents should monitor the use of toothpaste, mouth rinses, and fluoride supplements in young children to ensure they are not ingesting too much. Check with your dentist on the proper amount of toothpaste to use or the proper dosage of a fluoride supplement. If you are concerned about the fluoride levels in your drinking water, call the local public water department or your water supplier. If the source is a private well, request a fluoride content analysis from your local or county health department to ensure that the fluoride levels are within the proper range. Source: DeltaDentalIns

Contact:
Lakewood Orthodontics
721 NE Lakewood Blvd
Lee’s Summit, MO 64064
(816) 373-0300