The Role of Fluoride in Dental Health: Benefits and Concerns

Fluoride, a common mineral that occurs naturally in water, soil, and air, has been used for nearly 80 years to prevent cavities and strengthen tooth enamel. When used in small quantities and with ADA-compliant products, fluoride has been found effective in remineralizing enamel and reversing early decay. However, fluoride can be harmful in large quantities. Let’s look at the benefits and concerns regarding the use of fluoride in dental health.

What Is Fluoride and What Does It Do?

The outer protective layer of your teeth, called enamel, loses and gains minerals every day. Minerals are lost when your teeth are exposed to acids, which occurs when sugars combine with bacteria in the mouth, creating a film called plaque. Minerals are gained when you drink water or consume foods that contain calcium, fluoride, phosphate, and similar minerals.

Tooth decay develops due to the process of demineralization without adequate remineralization. Whether you get fluoride in toothpaste, mouth rinse, supplement, or fluoride treatment from your Clermont dentist, you can help ward off tooth decay and keep your teeth strong and resilient. One study found that the use of topical fluoride over six months significantly improved participants’ oral health.

While fluoride can be found in over-the-counter dental products, more substantial concentrations may require a prescription from a healthcare provider. Dentists can also apply fluoride directly to the teeth in the following ways:

• Gel – Fluoride gels can be dispensed in a custom tray or painted on the teeth.
• Varnish – Specialized varnishes are painted directly on the tooth surfaces.
• Foam – Foam fluoride is dispensed into a custom tray and placed over the teeth.

What are the Benefits of Fluoride?

In the proper amounts, fluoride can be highly advantageous to your dental health. In addition to reducing cavities, strengthening your enamel, and reversing early decay, fluoride is a cost-effective way to maintain your smile. As fluoride is found naturally in most public drinking water, you can get much of the fluoride you need simply by drinking tap water from your faucet.

Fluoride can also help protect your teeth against harmful drinks and foods that you consume. Certain foods and beverages, particularly those high in sugar or acidic, can erode tooth enamel over time. Fluoride offers an additional layer of protection to help remineralize the teeth once essential minerals are lost. Fluoride can also contribute to oral health, reducing your need for treatments.

Drinking fluoridated water is one of the best ways to get essential minerals for dental health. If your location does not have fluoride in its water supply, there are other ways to get it, such as brushing your teeth at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste or using a fluoride mouthwash. You can also ask your dentist about professional fluoride treatment.

Is Using Fluoride for Dental Health Safe?

Controversy has surrounded the use of fluoride in dental care for many years and for many reasons. Some people believe that fluoride contributes to low IQ scores in children, arthritis, bone cancer, and kidney disease. However, the research behind these claims is not conclusive.

Extensive studies have shown that adding low concentrations of fluoride to drinking water in the U.S. does not cause any adverse health problems, aside from the occasional case of dental fluorosis.

Fluorosis is an oral health condition that is characterized by brown or white spots on the teeth. This condition is caused by ingesting excessive amounts of fluoride, resulting in visual tooth discoloration and possible physical damage to the teeth. If you believe you’re consuming too much or too little fluoride, speak with your dentist in Clermont about your concerns.

Contact Your Dentist in Clermont, FL Today

Fluoride is an essential component of good dental care, and since it’s widely accessible in the U.S., it’s an excellent option for patients looking to improve their smiles. For more information about the benefits and concerns surrounding fluoride or to schedule your next appointment, contact Hancock Village Dental at 352-989-5815.