Fluoride is a preventative measure that your general dentist uses to help protect your teeth between visits. It is also an ingredient in toothpaste that can give added protection.
One of the most hotly debated topics surrounding toothpaste and tooth brushing is whether or not you should be using toothpaste that contains fluoride. Using toothpaste with fluoride certainly has health benefits for your teeth, but is it affecting other parts of your body? Let's look at what exactly fluoride is and its effects on the body.
Fluoride is a natural mineral produced by the body and utilized mainly by the teeth. As sugars and acids eat away at the enamel that protects your teeth, your body makes fluoride, calcium, and phosphate to help coat the teeth and reinforce the enamel that protects them.
Fluoride is inorganic and is a monoatomic anion of fluorine that is usually white or colorless. However, the fluoride itself is a salty substance that has a bitter taste but is odorless. It can be found outside of the body in many forms, such as water, seafood, chicken, and certain teas and medications.
There is little doubt about the benefits that fluoride has. It makes your teeth more robust and more resistant to cavities and other mouth diseases. Fluoride is essential to building up the enamel that coats your teeth and protects them from damage and decay.
Your dentist will typically use fluoride in your visit to him via one method or another. This can be with a gel or in a liquid form which the dentist will have you swirl in your mouth or brush onto your teeth. This is done because of fluoride's enormous role in preventing tooth decay.
Fluoride is also crucial in strengthening your teeth and making them more resistant to chipping and scratches. When combined with saliva, fluoride turns into fluorapatite, a compound especially important for preventing tooth decay.
If you have exposed root surfaces due to recessive gums, then fluoride is excellent for reducing the sensitivity of these areas. The use of fluoride also impairs other gum conditions such as periodontitis. Fluoride will help reduce the pain and sensitivity involved with this disease and aid in its treatment.
Fluoride is a mineral that has definite upsides when it comes to taking care of your teeth. However, there's another side to this element that users should know before using fluoride.
Using too much fluoride can cause dental fluorosis in children under the age of 6. This condition manifests itself in white specks on the teeth, eventually leading to tooth discoloration. To keep this from happening, children under the age of 6 shouldn't use fluoride.
Another condition known as skeletal fluorosis can also result from using too much fluoride. This condition is dangerous because it causes the bones to become more brittle and less elastic, making the body more prone to fractures and broken bones. Make sure you consult your general dentist before using fluoride.
Perhaps the biggest thing that makes people hesitant about using fluoride is that it has recently been documented as a potential neurotoxin. Children exposed to fluoride before birth run an increased risk of poor cognitive outcomes throughout development.
If you are worried about using fluoride, ask your dentist. They are the best source of information when it comes to taking care of your teeth and keeping a bright smile for many years to come.
If you feel like you are having any type of symptoms that are causing you to think you may not be heading in the right direction, make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
The best way to get to the root of a dental problem is to see your dentist regularly and when you feel you have an issue. They can diagnose and treat your issue early on to prevent more serious issues down the road.
Overall, your general dentist uses fluoride for a reason: because it's incredibly beneficial to your dental health. As long as you adhere to the risks involved and don't do anything to put your overall health at risk, fluoride is one of the most critical elements to maintaining your oral health.
Take control of your oral health and follow any suggestions your dentist may give you. It will be worth it.
Request an appointment here: https://alexoldtowndental.com or call Alexandria Old Town Dental at (703) 763-1078 for an appointment in our Alexandria office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentist in Alexandria, VA.
Typing dentist near me in your search box can give you a great start. Getting comprehensive oral care from the right dental care professional is the goal. A provider near you will give you easier access to necessary dental treatments. Entering dentist near me in your online search can give you an advantage in your…
General dentists use bonding to help repair damaged teeth. What is bonding, and how is it used to repair teeth? Keep reading for an overview of what bonding is and why it is used as a treatment method. This type of procedure is very useful for many different dental issues. Your dentist will be able to…
A general dentist can relieve a toothache after a proper assessment. This type of dental problem is often accompanied by swelling. It may even occur with a migraine, fever, or earache. Tooth pain needs immediate treatment. Here are the details on what a general dentist can do for a toothache. Each toothache is different. That…
General dentistry involves preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dental treatments like teeth whitening. Teeth are constantly bombarded by substances that cause stains and discoloration, affecting the way that they look.The most common type of teeth whitening treatment performed by dentists involves using bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide to remove stains from the outer surfaces and deep…
If your child has crooked or poorly aligned teeth, kids braces are one of the options that can be used to straighten his or her teeth. Continue reading to learn more about kids' braces.Dentists generally recommend children get orthodontic treatments once they reach the age of seven. That is when the final set of molars…
A beautiful smile can be a powerful asset. It can affect first impressions, social interactions, and even your self-esteem. A cosmetic dentist improves the look of teeth and provides solutions to turn ordinary smiles into extraordinary ones. The treatment options typically depend on your preferences and needs.Patients looking to transform their smiles can book an…