There are a lot of things you can do to protect your dental health. Brushing, flossing, and regular dentist visits are vital to preventing cavities, gum disease, and more. But there’s one more element to making sure your smile stays healthy: fluoride. This mineral has been repeatedly shown to help prevent tooth decay and strengthen teeth.
Then so some people think fluoride is a bad idea? Simply put, they can fall victim to fake news and incomplete information. By calling us today at 956-242-6745 (Junction Drive) or 956-517-2695 (Winfield), you can make an appointment where the dentists are highly trained and experienced in keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
Understand The Power Of Fluoride
Why are fluoride treatments so valuable, especially for kids? Because a ton of research data proves they will protect your smile.
Your teeth are covered in enamel which acts like armor for the blood vessels and nerve endings inside. Cavities happen when harmful bacteria erode some enamel, creating small holes. Fluoride has been repeatedly shown to strengthen enamel. It can’t completely undo the damage from tooth decay, but it can make a tooth stronger. It can even reverse microscopic enamel damage.
Children get fluoride treatments because their bodies are still growing. Strengthening their teeth at such an age means better oral health moving forward. However, there are cases where adults can get fluoride as well. When you come for your next dental cleaning and exam, our dentists will discuss your treatment options with you.
Know Why It’s Safe
It’s true that very large doses of fluoride can be harmful, but the same is true for almost anything. Take calcium. People of all ages need it for strong bones, but getting too much can lead to health problems. The same is true for fluoride.
Here are some other reasons why this is safe to use:
- It’s a completely natural mineral: Some people worry about adding chemicals to water, but this is not some kind of man-made chemical. Fluoride is a mineral, and it’s completely natural. Besides, vitamin D added to milk and iodine added to salt, and you enjoy both.
- It’s found in water naturally: Because it’s completely natural, it can be found in well water. In fact, that’s what started scientists on studying how fluoride affects teeth. Communities with naturally-occurring fluoride in their drinking water had much healthier teeth than those without.
- There are different kinds of fluoride: Chlorine is a dangerous chemical, but you take it everyday when you eat salt, which is sodium chloride. That’s because a mineral can have many different forms, some of which are healthy and others not. When it comes to fluoride, the kind you get from a dentist is perfectly safe for use as a dental treatment.
This is why fluoride is in toothpaste and tap water in small doses. It helps protect your teeth from problems like tooth decay, and it’s completely safe for your body.
Call Davenport Dental Group today at 956-242-6745 (Junction Drive) or 956-517-2695 (Winfield), or contact us through our online form and make a new appointment. With fluoride treatments from our expertly trained dentists, your smile can remain healthy and strong for years to come.