What is Fluoride?
There has been a lot of conversation about fluoride and it’s affects. Basically, fluoride is described by the ADA as “nature’s cavity fighter, occurring naturally in varying amounts in water sources such as rivers, lakes and even oceans.” We also know that fluoride is added to various dental products to improve dental care and prevent tooth decay, and that in various amounts, can be found in some foods and drinks.
Benefits to Using Fluoride in Dental Care Products
Fluoride has many benefits. As toothpaste with fluoride is brushed upon the teeth, it helps to rebuild weakened tooth enamel, providing a topical benefit. Fluoride that is received from foods and drinks incorporates itself into the saliva, also strengthening your enamel.
Fluoridated Water is a topic for discussion in many communities. Studies has shown that water fluoridation has been an effective tool in reducing tooth decay by at least 25% in children and adults. For this reason, the CDC considers community water fluoridation to be one of the ten great public health achievements of the 20th century.
To benefit from fluoride, it should not be over-consumed. Getting the right amount is something that your dentist can help you with. Because of this, it is recommended that children use the appropriate amount of toothpaste based on their age, and that children under 6 not use mouthwash with fluoride because of their likeliness to swallow mouthwash.
If you have any concerns or questions, always feel free to reach out to your dentist. You can also find additional information online at www.ada.org or https://ilikemyteeth.org.
