Fluoride is an important tool for maintaining oral health and offers many benefits. The American Dental Association, Centers for Disease Control, and your dentists at Uptown Dental in Marion, all encourage the use of fluoride and want to make sure everyone knows three fluoride facts:
- Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral.
- Fluoride has been shown to prevent cavities.
- The protective benefits of fluoride outweigh the possible risks, which are minimal.
Fact: Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral.
Fluoride is a mineral that exists everywhere on our planet. Fluorine, the source element of fluoride, is one of the most abundant on Earth. Fluoride can be found in rocks, soil, and water. As a result, it is present in vegetation as well as the food we eat—but it is present in very small amounts. Some locations in the world, such as Asia, have very high levels of fluoride in the ground water, but most of the United States has minimal levels. Public water supplies are closely monitored to provide water with safe levels of fluoridation.
Fact: Fluoride has been shown to prevent cavities.
In the 1940s, fluoridated water was proven to protect children’s teeth from decay. Dental fluoride applications like toothpaste and mouth rinse help remineralize teeth, rebuilding their resilience following exposure to acids and sugars. Cavities are caused by this demineralization over time, and small amounts of fluoride play a valuable role in preserving healthy teeth and preventing damage that leads to cavities.
Fact: The protective benefits of fluoride outweigh the possible risks, which are minimal.
The fluoride in toothpaste and water has been provided at levels that help prevent tooth decay without causing harm. This simple solution of brushing with fluoride toothpaste to reduce the risk of cavities is greatly preferred over the time and money spent filling cavities—not to mention the potential discomfort of a toothache! The minimal cost of fluoride toothpaste and oral health products—and the 10 minutes a day you can spend brushing and flossing— are worth it. They can save hundreds of dollars in dental care and keep your smile bright. Review the benefits of fluoride.
It is worth noting that a person would have to work very hard to overdo it with fluoride. If they did, they might get white spots on their teeth or, in very high doses, brown discoloration. Some communities had highly fluoridated natural water supplies in the U.S. in the early 20th Century, when water supplies were unregulated and unmonitored. Today, municipalities and water districts monitor and manage the levels of many substances in the water.
Like the vitamins you take or benefit from in cereal, milk, and other foods, fluoride is another tool in your daily routine that can maintain your oral health and give your smile a boost!
Be sure to reach out to Uptown Dental with any questions about dental care, and schedule your dental appointment today!