Fluoride & Teeth
The Importance of Fluoride for your Teeth
The benefits of fluoride for dental health were discovered when dentists began to notice better oral health and lesser incidence of tooth decay in people who drank fluoride-containing water regularly. The practice of adding fluoride to public drinking water supplies began in 1945, with Grand Rapids in Michigan becoming the first city to have fluoridated water supplies.
The goal of fluoridation is to achieve a level of one part fluoride in about a million parts of water. Studies have shown that water fluoridation has brought down the percentage of dental decay in children by 50% or more.
So how does fluoride protect your teeth from decay?
To understand this, you must first understand the composition of the tooth enamel. The enamel is the outer layer of the tooth, and is composed of mineral crystals that are densely packed. These minerals are lost and recovered on a daily basis. The process of losing minerals is called demineralization, and it occurs when mouth acids attack the crystals, and dissolve them. The acids are produced through the action of sugar and bacteria in the mouth. When the minerals are lost, the body begins to deposit calcium, fluoride and phosphate in the enamel, in a process called remineralization. When too many minerals are lost and these are not replaced sufficiently, decay can result.
When fluoride is taken, it is soon absorbed by the cells into the child's permanent teeth. It helps to accelerate the process of remineralization, and interferes with the production of bacterial acid. It thus prevents tooth decay, keeping teeth healthy and strong.
The goal of fluoridation is to achieve a level of one part fluoride in about a million parts of water. Studies have shown that water fluoridation has brought down the percentage of dental decay in children by 50% or more.
So how does fluoride protect your teeth from decay?
To understand this, you must first understand the composition of the tooth enamel. The enamel is the outer layer of the tooth, and is composed of mineral crystals that are densely packed. These minerals are lost and recovered on a daily basis. The process of losing minerals is called demineralization, and it occurs when mouth acids attack the crystals, and dissolve them. The acids are produced through the action of sugar and bacteria in the mouth. When the minerals are lost, the body begins to deposit calcium, fluoride and phosphate in the enamel, in a process called remineralization. When too many minerals are lost and these are not replaced sufficiently, decay can result.
When fluoride is taken, it is soon absorbed by the cells into the child's permanent teeth. It helps to accelerate the process of remineralization, and interferes with the production of bacterial acid. It thus prevents tooth decay, keeping teeth healthy and strong.
Flouride supplements
Fluoride supplements are recommended for children who are aged between 6 month 16 years, and who do not have access to fluoridated water. If you have concerns about whether your local drinking water supplies contain adequate amounts of fluoride, get you water samples tested by a laboratory. If the fluoride content in the water is lesser than the recommended level, ask your dentist to prescribe fluoride supplements.
Supplements can be in the form of fluoride mouth rinses (ACT is a good product) and gels. These can be prescribed by your dentist and are readily available at your local drug store. These products will provide high quantities of fluoride. Lesser amounts of fluoride are found in fluoridated toothpaste. A fluoride mouth rinse before bedtime is a generally a good practice for most of us.
Fluoride supplements are recommended for children who are aged between 6 month 16 years, and who do not have access to fluoridated water. If you have concerns about whether your local drinking water supplies contain adequate amounts of fluoride, get you water samples tested by a laboratory. If the fluoride content in the water is lesser than the recommended level, ask your dentist to prescribe fluoride supplements.
Supplements can be in the form of fluoride mouth rinses (ACT is a good product) and gels. These can be prescribed by your dentist and are readily available at your local drug store. These products will provide high quantities of fluoride. Lesser amounts of fluoride are found in fluoridated toothpaste. A fluoride mouth rinse before bedtime is a generally a good practice for most of us.
Children who are younger than 6 years of age must be taught to spit the tooth paste out after brushing instead of swallowing it. For young children of this age, use only a tiny quantity of toothpaste on the brush, and avoid the use of flavored toothpaste that may be swallowed by the child. If your child is at high risk for dental cavities, your dentist may prescribe fluoride tablets.
The dangers of fluoride
Like all good things, fluoride is only effective when used in the right quantities. Overdose is possible when you don’t take prescribed amounts of fluoride. Take care to monitor the use of fluoride supplements by your children. Children under the age of 6 are not advised to use fluoride mouth rinses. If your child has been prescribed fluoride tablets, he should take these only in small doses as prescribed by your dentist. Store any fluoride supplements or tablets away from children.
An overdose of fluoride can cause a condition called flourosis. Here, brown or white spots begin to form on the surface of the tooth. In severe cases, the spots may turn black or brown, and the enamel may begin to lose shape.
The dangers of fluoride
Like all good things, fluoride is only effective when used in the right quantities. Overdose is possible when you don’t take prescribed amounts of fluoride. Take care to monitor the use of fluoride supplements by your children. Children under the age of 6 are not advised to use fluoride mouth rinses. If your child has been prescribed fluoride tablets, he should take these only in small doses as prescribed by your dentist. Store any fluoride supplements or tablets away from children.
An overdose of fluoride can cause a condition called flourosis. Here, brown or white spots begin to form on the surface of the tooth. In severe cases, the spots may turn black or brown, and the enamel may begin to lose shape.
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