Is Fluoride Good for My Teeth?

Over the past few years, the utilization of fluoride in both toothpaste and water has become controversial.  Now, some individuals argue that fluoride can really cause serious health problems, while professionals have discovered that fluoride can significantly enhance dental health. So what is the truth? We are going to consider the scientific facts to find out whether fluoride is good for your teeth or not.

What is Fluoride?

Do you remember periodic table you were compelled to learn in school? Fluorine is on that table. Now, the fluoride ion originates from fluorine that is an element.  It is naturally found all over the earth, food, in soil, minerals and water. Also, fluoride can be made in labs to be added to dental products such as toothpaste. Fluoride is normally added to water in communities to decrease tooth decay.  You can locate your Tempe water statistics online to see the last study and how much fluoride is actually added to our local water.

Where Can Fluoride be Found?

There are lots of ways you can obtain fluoride to support dental health. Try to ensure that you follow the instructions and also use the right dose. Below are some sources of fluoride:

• Mouthwash
• Toothpaste
• Water
• Beverages
• Food
• Supplements
• Foams and Gels
It is important that you obtain sufficient fluoride to keep the teeth healthy.

Why is It Good for Your Teeth?

Research has shown that the addition of fluoride to water has decreased dental decay by 20-40%, based on the American Dental Association statistics. The truth is, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that adding fluoride to your water is among the top 20th centur public health achievements.

So why then is fluoride good for your teeth? As you take in fluoride, it collects in spots that are high in calcium, which include your teeth. This helps your teeth in many ways:

• When kids with developing teeth drink or eat fluoride in safe quantities, it builds up in their teeth. This gives them extra lasting strength as well as protection against acids.

• Also, Fluoride can strengthen the enamel of adult’s teeth. When you drink or eat fluoride, it will become a part of the saliva. Since the saliva consistently soaks your teeth, it offers your teeth’s surface fluoride, strengthening your enamel and hindering decay.

• Topical fluoride, just like mouthwash and toothpaste, help in making the surface of the teeth more resistant to any decay.

• The saliva works in keeping your enamel hard by regularly replenishing the teeth with minerals, such as phosphorous and calcium. When there is fluoride in the saliva together with other minerals, these minerals replenish the teeth and make them strong. It keeps the teeth hard as well as protected against tooth decay.

If your teeth are healthy and at low risk of any tooth decay, water intake which contains a safe level of fluoride and constant brushing with a fluoride toothpaste will give you a sufficient quantity of fluoride.  You can call and ask your Tempe Dentist if you need more information about fluoride and your teeth.

Can Fluoride Be Bad for My Teeth?

Now, if fluoride is good for your teeth, why then is it very controversial? There are people who think that it can result in serious health issues. It is true that taking too much fluoride may result in some issues. But as far as it is correctly consumed, it’s safe and effective, based on the American Dental Association.