With popular American tendencies towards processed, sugary foods and bottled water, you need to make careful consideration that you are getting sufficient amounts of fluoride for healthy teeth. Recent research shows that topical fluoride, such as toothpaste, mouth rinses and dentist applied fluoride treatments, is essential to effectively fight tooth decay. Fluoride is also important to your teeth because it helps prevent acid attacks on the enamel of your teeth. Along with a diet that includes fluoride and a fluoride containing toothpaste, your dentist can also provide both children and adults with a professional fluoride treatment using a gel, foam or fluoride varnish. Fluoride treatments from your dentist can go a long way in helping to protect your teeth from harmful acid and tooth decay.
As commonly proclaimed, fluoride is especially important in children. Strengthening developing teeth in children is critical, but the fight against tooth decay is just as important. Fluoride is your primary weapon. In fact, fluoride has been proven to help reverse early tooth decay in young children. Start making sure your child has a diet that includes fluoride at an early age. If needed, your child’s dentist or pediatrician can even prescribe fluoride supplements in a liquid or tablet form. For adults and children alike, always choose a toothpaste with fluoride as the main ingredient. However, it is important to note that only a pea size amount of toothpaste is needed to get the job done. Too much toothpaste, especially if children frequently ingest it, can actually lead to a condition called fluorosis. Although rare, too much fluoride causes teeth to become chalky white or yellow and brittle. Tooth discoloration from fluorosis is permanent.
Group Health Dental can give your family the preventative dental care you need for a long-lasting health smile, including fluoride treatments during your routine dental exam.
