Although some may ask, “is fluoride really important?” It has proved its worth over the years. Called the biggest advance in dentistry of the 20th century, fluoride is a constant presence in dental care. In toothpastes, therapeutic mouthwashes, and water supply, it does amazing things for fighting cavities and keeping teeth strong and healthy.
Why Is Fluoride Important?
When you eat foods high in sugars, carbohydrates, or acids, these foods can be part of a process that attacks the enamel on your teeth. Cavity causing bacteria makes a meal of the sugars from these foods on your teeth, producing acids that attack your enamel, damaging calcium and phosphate in your teeth, starting the process of decay and cavities.
To answer “is fluoride really important?” yes, when there is fluoride in your saliva, it is able to coat your teeth, and helps to work with calcium and phosphate in a defensive team resistant to decay making your teeth stronger and healthier, and preventing costly and painful cavities.
Where Can I Find Fluoride?
Fluoride can be used in toothpaste, therapeutic mouthwash, treatments at your dental office, and even in your water supply if you are using public water, or fluoridated bottled water. Is fluoride really important in each of these applications? Yes. Providing a variety of applications for fluoride ensures it is able to work in multiple ways to protect your teeth, whether taken internally in the water supply, or used topically in something like toothpaste.
Taken in water, fluoride strengthens teeth, but It is important to make the most of fluoride use in topical applications such as toothpaste or mouthwash. When you rinse your teeth following your oral hygiene routine, it can wash fluoride away as well, stopping it from doing its job. Skipping that last rinse will give the fluoride time to work on your teeth, helping them get healthier and stronger each time you brush or swish!
How Can I Make Sure I’m Using the Right Amounts?
Talking to your dentist about your sources of fluoride can be an important step in determining whether fluoride treatments are helpful or harmful for your teeth. Like any medical substance, fluoride can be overused, but your dentist will know more about your situation and needs, and be able to give you a picture of whether you are getting enough fluoride in your oral health routine. If you are still asking “Is fluoride really important?” ask your dentist how using fluoride regularly can help you gain stronger healthier teeth.
Call our Lubbock Dental Office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.