Small amounts of fluoride can contribute to your long-term oral health. The mineral occurs naturally in water and certain foods, and manufacturers add it to their oral hygiene products.
People who have low fluoride levels in their drinking water can make up the difference with oral hygiene products. Keep reading to find out why fluoride should play a role in your daily routine.
"Opposites attract" is a rule that applies to magnets and many of the compounds that keep the body running. Fluoride is a negatively charged ion that constantly searches for ions with a positive charge.
Fluoride attracts and bonds with positively charged calcium ions, which are essential building blocks in enamel. This means that a layer of fluoride will keep calcium from escaping the enamel, while pulling calcium from saliva and onto the enamel. By doing this, fluoride helps reinforce the enamel, making it harder for cavities to form. It also has additional benefits:
All this goes a long way toward preventing and fighting tooth decay, which is why dentists recommend fluoride as part of a good oral hygiene routine.
Fluoride toothpaste boosts the amount of fluoride present in the mouth. The mineral immediately gets to work, killing off harmful mouth bacteria. It also forms a protective barrier on the enamel, separating acids in the mouth from the teeth's surfaces. In this way, the fluoride film prevents calcium and phosphorus from leeching off the teeth.
The fluoride ions also "detain" useful minerals that would otherwise dissolve in saliva. Brushing the teeth twice or thrice a day can provide the level of fluoride that the mouth needs.
It bears mentioning that too much fluoride can damage the teeth, so use fluoride mouthwash sparingly. The best authority on the use of fluoride mouthwash is the dentist. Dentists advise their patients on how often they should use mouth rinses that contain fluoride. Dentists will also recommend specific brands of rinses with good track records.
Routine dental visits enable the dentist to examine the patient's mouth and thoroughly clean the teeth and gums. Professional cleaning removes plaque buildup, tartar, and surface stains. The cleaning concludes when a dentist applies a coat of fluoride and sometimes, a coat of dental sealant for the molars. The fluoride film reinforces the enamel while protecting the entire tooth from bacteria and acid.
Reach out to us if you need dental care that ensures the health of your teeth and gums. Our dentist offers preventative care to keep oral health issues from becoming a problem. They are available for routine dental checkups, professional teeth cleaning, and procedures to repair your teeth.
Request an appointment here: https://www.alisocreekdental.com or call Aliso Creek Dental at (949) 362-3848 for an appointment in our Aliso Viejo office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Fluoride in Aliso Viejo, CA.
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