What Is The Importance Of Fluoride For Oral Health?

As a dentist, I recommend fluoride to my patients daily, as it is one of the most valuable ingredients in dental hygiene products.adidas yeezys wigs online nike air max plus black custom basketball jerseys best jordan 4 wig outlet women’s nike air max nike air max 90 mens on sale authentic jersey womens nike air max 270 jersey for sale custom mlb jerseys nike air max 270 custom football uniforms jordan sale

Patients ask whether there are any adverse health consequences from fluoride and how to find the best products.

Ready to learn why fluoride is so important and what you need to know when using fluoride in your oral health routine? Keep reading!

What Is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral. In scientific terms, it is an inorganic, monatomic anion of Fluorine – but we will keep things simple here.

You can find fluoride in the following places:

Soil
Water
Rocks
Plants
Air

Fluoride can be found in many places, and you can find it in many dental products, too. In the rest of this post, we will discuss how fluoride benefits oral health and how to use it in your daily routine.

Top Benefits Of Fluoride For Your Teeth

Below, you’ll find a list of the benefits fluoride can offer for your teeth and oral hygiene.

Rebuilding Weakened Enamel

When you consume foods, bacteria build up in your mouth. The bacteria in your mouth can form plaque on your teeth, leading to tooth decay and enamel erosion. Enamel is responsible for protecting your teeth, and weakened enamel leads to tooth decay and loss.

So, it is ideal to take every precaution to protect your enamel. Fluoride helps to strengthen and rebuild your weak enamel by remineralising it. Your enamel is made of calcium phosphate, and the fluoride refortifies it with minerals.

Slowing Down The Loss Of Minerals From The Enamel

Just as it can help to strengthen weak enamel, fluoride can help to prevent the weakening of the enamel with remineralisation. Your enamel will inevitably lose minerals over time with wear and tear, and fluoride helps slow the aging process.

Preventing The Growth Of Harmful Bacteria

Fluoride helps to lower the acidic tolerance of bacteria, allowing other ingredients in toothpaste, mouthwash, and oral hygiene products to eliminate bacteria in the mouth. Additionally, fluoride has antimicrobial effects and substantially affects the growth of organisms such as Streptococcus mutans. Harmful bacteria and microbes in the mouth can lead to tooth decay and illness, and fluoride helps to prevent this from occurring.

Helps With Teeth Whitening

When you whiten your teeth, this can increase tooth sensitivity. Fluoride provides support during the teeth whitening process, helping you to achieve a brighter smile without suffering tooth sensitivity. The fluoride enters the tooth through the enamel, strengthening the entirety of the tooth, which reduces the exposure of sensitive parts of the tooth.

Fluoride varnish can also act as a whitener. When you place it on the teeth, you’ll notice your teeth becoming duller or more yellow. However, after leaving the treatment on for the set period and wiping it off, you’ll see that your teeth are brighter and less stained.

How To Apply Fluoride To Your Teeth

You can use many different products if you want fluoride to protect your teeth and support a more attractive smile. Here is a list of the many fluoride products available to you:

- Toothpaste – many kinds of toothpaste do not contain fluoride, so it’s essential to opt for fluoride toothpaste. You can coat your teeth with fluoride to receive the benefits while brushing your teeth.
- Mouthwash – some mouthwashes do not contain fluoride, so look for fluoride in the ingredients. Using a fluoride mouthwash can reduce the number of bacteria and microbes in the gums that could lead to oral health complications or illnesses later on. You should use mouthwash before brushing or between brushes so that the fluoride from your toothpaste doesn’t get washed away.
- A professional fluoride treatment – a dentist can use a fluoride gel, rinse, foam, or varnish to fight decay in the teeth and fortify your enamel. Your Bentleigh East dentist may apply a fluoride treatment during your regular dental cleaning.
- Many do not know this, but you can consume certain foods to include more fluoride in your daily habits. Below is a list of different foods that contain fluoride:
  - Tea
  - Water
  - Foods cooked in water
  - Fish (on the bone)
  - Baby or infant formula

Other Ways To Take Better Care Of Your Teeth

Fluoride is great for your teeth, but it won’t be enough to ensure they stay healthy throughout your life. You need to invest in regular dental cleaning to reduce your risk of tooth decay and weakened enamel.

When you brush your teeth, you lack the mobility and equipment to reach all areas in your mouth. In a dental cleaning appointment, your dentist will clean all areas of the mouth and descale them to get rid of plaque and tartar.

They will also provide thorough flossing and give you a fluoride treatment. A professional cleaning will cover any missed areas in your usual dental hygiene routine and ensure that your teeth stay in excellent condition throughout your life.

Is Fluoride Dangerous?

There have been many speculations about whether fluoride is detrimental to your health. However, studies have no conclusive evidence to show that fluoride causes negative health consequences.

It’s important to note that you should never use fluoride toothpaste to brush your pet’s teeth. Fluoride may be perfectly safe for humans, but not for animals!

Summary

Fluoride is a great place to start if you’re considering ways to better your oral hygiene. You can buy fluoride oral health products like toothpaste and mouthwash at any supermarket. Introducing fluoride into your oral hygiene routine can help slow the aging and deterioration of the enamel.

Our Verve Dental Practice team can help you take better care of your teeth. Check out the services we offer on our website to learn more.