When you buy toothpaste from a drug store, understandably, the last thing you may look for is a fluoride ingredient in your toothpaste. Going forward, it is important to understand whether fluoride is an important part of the toothpaste you use and if fluoride is good for teeth.
Before we go into understanding if fluoride is good for teeth or not for you, let’s first understand what fluoride is.
What Is Fluoride?
Fluoride is naturally found within soil, water and food. This means that the food and drink you consume, depending on your diet and lifestyle, will contain traces of fluoride. You’ll find traces of fluoride in water, toothpaste and mouthwash.
Research shows that fluoride levels in water and the toothpaste you use can reduce the chances of tooth decay significantly.
Tooth decay is a common oral health problem that impacts children and adults alike. Here are some benefits to fluoride for your teeth:
It Prevents Tooth Decay
Tooth decay in kids teeth is a common oral disease, and fluoride is effective at preventing tooth decay. When your saliva contains sources of fluoride, your teeth can take it in. Depending on the foods you eat, calcium, phosphate and fluoride combine together to protect your teeth from cavities.
Reduces Plaque Build-Up
Fluoride can reduce the growth of dental plaque and for the ability to plaque to produce an acid attack. Dental plaque occurs when food debris accumulates with bacteria in the mouth, creating a yellow, pale substance around your teeth. This can impact your smile and plaque is difficult to remove unless you seek a professional clean.
A Natural Ingredient
Fluoride is a natural preservative found in groundwater and can be fortified with food and drink, and traces are naturally found in salt, milk and juices.
Is It Safe To Use For Your Teeth?
It’s been identified how beneficial fluoride can be to your oral health as it helps to preserve your smile and protect your oral health. Although, it is important to address whether fluoride is safe to use.
The high concentration of fluoride use can cause what’s known as dental fluorosis. Particularly for child tooth development, because when teeth develop and the teeth are exposed to high fluoride levels, this will be noticeable as tiny white streaks or spots on the tooth enamel. Whilst this doesn’t affect the health of your teeth, but the specks will be noticeable. This is formally known as discolouration.
It is recommended that you consume food and drink which contains traces of fluoride, such as tea, coffee, fish and water. Whilst fluoride is good for teeth and safe, it is also recommended that you choose the right toothpaste to brush your teeth with.
Use toothpaste containing 1500ppm, which is considered the most effective. It is also recommended that you consult the dentist to determine which available fluoride toothpaste in your local area are right for you. With this kind of toothpaste, brush your teeth twice a day.
If you’re seeking further advice on using fluoride from your local dentist and whether fluoride is good for teeth we can help you. Contact us here today and we’d be happy to help.
