Why do dentists recommend fluoride

However, every day wear and tear, the foods we eat , and some dental conditions may cause enamel loss. Since your body cannot reproduce tooth enamel, fluoride treatments are a great way to help strengthen your teeth and create an inhospitable environment for germs. The Riverside dentists , at Riverside Dental Group encourage our patients to consider a steady flow of fluoride supplementation in their lives.

Inside your teeth and underneath the gumline is dental pulp. This sensitive interior of a tooth contains the nerves responsible for sending pain signals to the brain. Outside of the pulp center is the soft dentin which makes up the bulk of your teeth. Comprised of microscopic tubes, tooth dentin carries sensations from the outside of your teeth towards the pulp. On the outermost layer of teeth, enamel shields your nerves from hot and cold temperatures. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to talk to their dentists about what's best for their child.

Parents and caregivers should consult with their pediatrician or family physician on the most appropriate formula for their child. The chance of development of fluorosis exists through approximate age eight when the teeth are still forming under the gums. Fluoride intake from other sources during this time such as toothpaste and mouthrinse may also contribute to the chance of fluorosis for children living in non-fluoridated and fluoridated communities. Getting the right amount of fluoride is best—not too much and not too little.

Your dentist, pediatrician or family physician can help you determine the proper amount of fluoride for your child. Fluoridated water helps prevent tooth decay in children and adults. Simply by drinking water, people can benefit from fluoridation's cavity protection whether they are at home, work or school. Because of its role in the prevention of tooth decay, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has proclaimed community water fluoridation as one of ten great public health achievements of the 20th century.

All toothpaste helps remove plaque, a film of bacteria that forms on teeth and gums every day. Plaque can cause gum disease and tooth decay. In addition to helping remove plaque, fluoride toothpaste provides an extra benefit in preventing tooth decay by making tooth enamel stronger.

For children 3 to 6 years of age, parents and caregivers should dispense no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Teeth should be brushed thoroughly twice a day morning and night or as directed by a dentist or physician.

A mouthrinse with fluoride helps reduce tooth decay by making teeth more resistant to decay. Unless you are advised to do so by a dentist or other health professional, the ADA does not recommend the use of fluoride mouthrinses for children younger than six years old.

Many children younger than six have not yet fully developed their swallowing reflex and may be more likely to swallow fluoride mouthrinse rather than spitting it out. Dietary fluoride supplements can be as effective in preventing tooth decay as water fluoridation. With supplements, fluoride is incorporated into the tooth during its formation making the tooth more resistant to decay.

In addition, supplements provide a topical benefit as teeth are bathed in fluoride while the lozenges or tablets are chewed. Once the fluoride is absorbed, it will be present in the saliva which delivers fluoride to the tooth surface to help repair the enamel. Dietary fluoride supplements should be prescribed only for children living in areas without optimal levels of fluoride in their community drinking water and who are at high risk of developing cavities.

Talk to your dentist, pediatrician or family physician about your child's specific fluoride needs. Public Health Service. The recommendation for fluoride levels in drinking water is newly calibrated at 0.

Fluoridation FAQs There is a lot of misinformation in the media about fluoride. What is fluoride? How does fluoride protect teeth? What is water fluoridation? Why would communities want to fluoridate tap water?

So, by simply drinking fluoridated water, you are doing something good for your oral health. Is water fluoridation safe? How effective is it in preventing cavities? Is Fluoride, as provided by community water fluoridation, a toxic substance? Sources: U. Fluoride benefits both children and adults. The earlier children are exposed to fluoride, the less likely they are to develop cavities.

A large study found that children and adolescents who received fluoride treatments for one year were 43 percent less likely to have tooth decay and cavities. Before fluoride was added to toothpaste, studies found that people with fluoridated water were 40 to 60 percent less likely to get cavities.

Like any medication, too much fluoride can cause negative complications. Fluoride poisoning is very rare today, though chronic overexposure may harm developing bones and teeth in small children. Brushing your teeth twice a day is the best way to remove plaque from your teeth and gums. The movement and friction of brushing teeth is crucial. You could brush your teeth with just water but using toothpaste that contains fluoride and other cleaning agents will greatly enhance the benefits of toothbrushing.

Fluoride occurs naturally in most water sources but adding trace amounts of fluoride to tap water is especially beneficial for people without regular access to a dentist.

So, you still need to use fluoride toothpaste, even if your local water is boosted by added fluoride. Fluoride is a natural mineral that prevents cavities. It restores minerals to tooth enamel and prevents harmful bacteria from building up in the mouth. Overdosing on fluoride can cause negative complications.

Oral health greatly affects other bodily functions and overall health. To take good care of your mouth:. Achieving healthy teeth takes a lifetime of care. Brushing your teeth and flossing are both important to a good oral health routine. Both help remove food and bacteria while freshening your breath…. Plaque accumulates on the teeth both above and below the gum line. If not removed, it can damage your teeth and gums.

The following home remedies might help prevent cavities or treat "pre-cavities" by remineralizing weakened areas of your enamel before a cavity….