From the toothpaste you use every day to drinking water and even tea, fluoride can come from many sources but it’s crucial to the development of your teeth and children’s teeth in particular. In today’s blog, we’ll look at the benefits of fluoride, and what happens if you don’t take in enough.
First things first – Fluoride is a natural mineral that is found in many foods and in all drinking water. It has several important benefits. Most importantly, it can greatly help dental health by strengthening the tooth enamel, and making it more resistant to tooth decay. It can also reduce the amount of acid that the bacteria on your teeth produce. It’s been shown that children who have fluoride when their teeth are developing, usually tend to have shallower grooves in their teeth, and this allows plaque to be removed more easily. You’ll know that plaque is that thin film of bacteria that continuously forms on your teeth.
As we mentioned before, you’ll find it in your drinking water supply and even a cup of tea but by far the most likely source is your toothpaste. Nearly all toothpastes contains fluoride and at Butterfield Dental Surgery, we believe it’s the single most important factor when choosing or switching your brand or type of toothpaste. The amount of fluoride found in your toothpaste is enough to help you lower your level of decay.
If you’re concerned about the lack of fluoride in your water, there are supplements or treatments available but these would be required only in extreme cases. And you should only take these supplements on the advice of your dentist. On your next visit, don’t hesitate to ask us about fluoride and your teeth and oral health.
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