Why You Should Be Using Fluoride

Last month, we talked about which beverages benefit your teeth (and which ones definitely don’t). While we’re on the subject, let’s talk about your best bet for summer hydration and healthy teeth: water! Water is a healthy choice for a lot of reasons, but today, we’re going to focus on fluoride. Fluoride is a mineral that is naturally found in drinking water, is commonly added to toothpaste, and comes in a rinse form. Let’s cover the basics of why it’s good for your dental routine and how you can make sure you’re getting enough of it.

Research has shown that fluoride works to reduce cavities in both children and adults, repair the early stages of tooth decay, and helps prevent future cavities from forming. This is great news! It is not only preventative, but it can reverse some damage already in place and maybe even prevent a filling. Fluoride is absorbed into your enamel, the tooth’s outer layer, where it replenishes lost calcium and phosphorus, which keep your teeth hard and strong. Your teeth go through demineralization (losing calcium and other important minerals) and remineralization (regaining those lost minerals) all the time. Fluoride helps the important remineralization process.

When you drink water, which naturally contains fluoride, it enters your bloodstream and goes to work on protecting your enamel and battling any decay. This is especially important for children because fluoride works on their developing teeth before they ever pop up, preparing a stronger set of teeth for their whole life.

If you suspect you need more fluoride than is present in your water or if one of our dentists recommends it, you can also add fluoride to your routine by:

– Using a toothpaste that has fluoride added in
– Using a fluoride rinse once a day after brushing
– Taking fluoride supplements, available over the counter
– Undergoing fluoride treatment with our dentists

No matter how you choose to make it a part of your everyday routine, your teeth will thank you for years to come. If you have additional questions, give us a call at (919) 484-2617.