Albertville, AL
Fluoride is a hotly debated topic in the dental world even though it is a naturally occurring mineral that has been proven to strengthen teeth and fight against cavities. Excessive intake of fluoride can have harmful effects on a human body, leading to a condition called fluorosis, but the amount of fluoride in fluoride toothpaste, for instance, is safe and beneficial.
Why is fluoride important?
Demineralization is the loss of fluoride, and it happens naturally in your teeth. This weakens enamel, which is the protective outer layer of your teeth. Fluoride is the mineral approved by the American Dental Association to help the enamel repair itself through remineralization. In other words, fluoride helps keep your teeth healthy and strong while it improves your mouth’s ability to fight against cavities. While enamel is the strongest substance in your body, it isn’t indestructible.
In fact, several factors contribute to demineralization, including:
- Acidic foods and beverages — Substances that are high in acidity, such as sodas, citrus fruits and certain types of candies, lower the mouth’s pH level, creating an environment that erodes tooth enamel over time.
- Poor oral hygiene — Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that grows on your teeth and feeds on food particles and sugars in your mouth. Without proper oral health care, the bacteria multiply in the mouth and produce acids that can lead to demineralization. Accumulated plaque on teeth increases the risk of demineralization and tooth Without proper oral hygiene practices, plaque also hardens into tartar, which promotes bacterial growth and starts the cycle all over again. Only a dentist’s office can remove tartar.
- Dry mouth — Saliva plays an important role in dental health because it neutralizes mouth acids that demineralize enamel and lead to tooth decay. Unfortunately, certain medications or disorders of the salivary glands can decrease saliva production and lead to dry mouth, impairing the mouth’s natural defense mechanisms.
- Environmental factors — Living in areas with low fluoride levels in the water supply or lacking access to dental care can increase the risk of demineralization and tooth decay.
What happens with too much fluoride?
Fluorosis is a cosmetic condition caused by overexposure to fluoride when permanent teeth are forming. It can lead to white or brown speckles on the teeth. Fluorosis isn’t harmful to health.
Fluoride treatments in Albertville, Alabama
If you have a non-fluorinated source of drinking water like well water in your home, our family dentist in Albertville at Wall Street Dentistry offers fluoride treatments that will help. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at (256) 400-2783, or reach out to us online today.
