The Role of Fluoride In Dental Health

Fluoride is a common element used in dentistry to strengthen tooth enamel, the outermost layer of your teeth. Fluoride also helps to prevent cavities. This method is called water fluoridation.

It is a natural mineral in many foods, and water supports the control of tooth decay. It slowly reverses the early deterioration of tooth enamel by remineralizing it.

While fluoride can be dangerous in large quantities, it’s difficult to achieve toxic levels due to its low amount in over-the-counter products and medicines like toothpaste and mouth rinses. In this blog, you will learn more about the importance of fluoride in dental health and how to consume it to prevent oral problems.

What Does Fluoride Do?

Every day, your enamel, or the protective outer layer of your tooth, gains and loses minerals. Your enamel loses minerals when acids formed from bacteria, plaque, and sugars in your mouth attack your enamel. This process is called demineralization.

Also, your enamel increases minerals such as fluoride, calcium, and phosphate when you ingest food and water that contain these minerals. This process is known as remineralization.

Tooth decay is a consequence of too much demineralization without sufficient remineralization. Dental fluoride assists in preventing tooth decay by making your tooth enamel more immune to acid attacks formed due to bacteria and sugar. It also reverses the early decline of enamel.

Many foods and water contain fluoride in smaller amounts naturally. You can also buy fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash for tooth decay prevention. Many brands offer OTC or over-the-counter mouthwashes and toothpaste. More significant concentrations in liquid or tablet form require a doctor’s prescription.

A dentist can also use fluoride on your teeth in the form of:

• Fluoride foam, which they’ll dispense into a custom tray, then put over your teeth.
• Fluoride varnish, which they’ll smudge directly on your teeth.
• Dentists can paint or distribute fluoride gel on your teeth in a custom tray.

What is Fluoride Used For?

In human health, fluoride is mainly used to enhance dental health. You can also find fluoride content in your local water supply and many over-the-counter (OTC) products, including:

• Toothpaste
• Mouth rinses
• Supplements

If you tend to get a lot of cavities, your dentist might recommend using a medication for mouth rinse with fluoride. These rinses usually have a more increased fluoride concentration than OTC options.

Benefit from Fluoride Consumption:

There are multiple benefits of fluoride consumption in small amounts. You might significantly benefit from fluoride if you have:

• Dry mouth or xerostomia

It is a common side effect of some healthcare conditions and certain medications, including symptoms like allergy and antihistamines. Saliva (spit) washes away food particles and bacteria. Slow saliva production makes you more prone to oral health problems like gum disease and cavities.

• Gum disease

It exposes your teeth and gums to bacteria and increases your risk of tooth decay. A history of tooth decay usually indicates that you’d benefit from extra fluoride.

• Crowns, Bridges, Braces

The removable partial dentures may raise your risk of cavities, particularly around orthodontic brackets or where your height meets your tooth.

Final Thought:

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral used in many dental products to harden tooth enamel and prevent dental cavities. While the amount of fluoride added to drinking water is considered safe, exposure to high fluoride levels may be linked to several health issues. Fluoride consumption is vital for good dental health and prevents cavities and dental decay.

But if you’re worried about your fluoride intake, ask your local government about the fluoride content in your city’s water. You can even opt for fluoride-free dental products, specifically if you have young children.