Does Fluoride Help Fight Cavities?
Fluoride is a mineral that comes from the ground and ocean water, along with the Earth’s crust and other sources. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay and it can also reverse the effects of tooth decay. The American Dental Association (ADA) has referred to fluoride as “nature’s cavity fighter”. Your city’s tap water and fluoridated toothpaste are among the most effective cavity-prevention measures in today’s world.
How Does Fluoride Fight Cavities?
Dental plaque is bacteria that is a sticky, colorless film that mixes with food and drinks containing sugars or starches, such as crackers and cookies, noodles, bread, candy, soda, and juice. Whenever we eat or drink something that is starchy or sugary, the plaque bacteria utilize those substances to create acids that eat away at the tooth’s enamel.
Fluoride from toothpaste and tap water, along with the minerals in your saliva, (calcium and phosphate), helps the enamel repair itself by replacing minerals lost when we eat foods that create acids. Our teeth go through the process of losing minerals (demineralization) and regaining minerals (remineralization) all day long.
Fluoride protects against decay in the following ways:
- Aids tooth remineralization
- Hardens tooth enamel
- Has an obstructive effect on the kinds of bacteria that cause cavities.
Facts
- Water that contains fluoride prevents tooth decay by replacing mineral loss in tooth enamel.
- Fluoride reduces the ability of bacteria in your mouth to make acid.
- Toothpaste that contains fluoride provides an extra boost of fluoride every time you brush your teeth.
- Toothpaste that has the American Dental Association’s “Seal of Approval”, indicates that the ADA has reviewed the product and found its fluoride content to be appropriate.
- After brushing your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste don’t rinse out your mouth immediately. You’ll benefit from the fluoride if you let it linger in your mouth for a while.
Acid Attacks Your Teeth When You Snack Between Meals
If you eat between meals, or drink soft drinks and energy drinks throughout the day, your teeth are frequently in contact with acid. Food and drinks containing sugar and starches cause the protective enamel to lose minerals throughout the day. Eventually, a white spot might appear on your tooth where you’ve been losing minerals. This is a sign of early decay. Tooth decay can be stopped or reversed and enamel can repair itself with fluoride from toothpaste or other sources along with the minerals from saliva. If the tooth decay process continues, and more minerals are lost, the enamel is weakened and destroyed, forming a cavity. At this juncture, your tooth has permanent damage that has to be repaired with a filling.
The Water You Drink Makes a Difference
Many people drink bottled water, which puts you at the risk of missing the decay-preventive benefits of fluoride, according to the ADA. Most brands of bottled water aren’t fluoridated, so you might be missing the fluoride needed to prevent cavities. If your city fluoridates your water supply, fill your own reusable water bottle with tap water. This eco-friendly solution will benefit the environment and your teeth.
Dental Check-ups Indicate if Your Need More Fluoride
Dental check-ups every six months with Dr. Angela S. Evanson, DDS are vital to your oral health and will indicate whether your teeth are lacking fluoride or prone to cavities. Dr. Evanson is a general and family dentist whose top priority is helping children, teens and adults achieve and maintain a beautiful, healthy smile.
Dr. Evanson will help you and your family receive comprehensive care while focusing on prevention, tooth preservation, and awareness of your oral health. Call her office at (720) 409-0008, or contact her online for an appointment.
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