Amazing Benefits of Fluoride in Dental Health
It makes sense why fluoride is often considered to be nature’s cavity fighter. Because it strengthens and increases the tooth enamel’s ability to resist cavities, this naturally existing mineral helps in the prevention of tooth decay.
The germs that stay in our mouths are what cause cavities. They consume the leftovers they find there, which include sweet food and drinks. These bacteria produce acids that harm tooth enamel when they consume glucose. When the protective outer covering of our teeth gets worn down over time, tooth decay may occur. To know more details about the advantages of fluoride, contact a dentist in the Newtonbrook West area of North York.
Benefits of fluoride in dental health
Baby (primary) teeth already exist in a newborn’s jaws at birth. Fluoride in kids’ diet and beverages helps teeth even before they penetrate the gums. These early fluoride treatments strengthen the enamel of infant’s teeth, leaving them more cavity-resistant.
Fluoride helps in the repair of any damage caused when acid-producing bacteria in the mouth cause cavities in a child’s main teeth. This is why it is essential for kids to use toothpaste with fluoride and get plenty of fluoridated water from the taps.
How to determine if fluoride is safe and effective?
According to studies, fluoride in water is especially beneficial in preventing cavities in kids. In fact, research showed that children who live in areas lacking fluoridated water are nearly three times more likely to require dental surgery and end up in the hospital.
Additionally, studies show that fluoride in municipal water systems helps prevent at least 25% of cavities in people of any age. Better dental health leads to financial savings because when more people need cavity treatment, we all pay more in taxes and insurance premiums. In reality, the cost of adding fluoride to municipal water sources throughout the course of a lifetime is on a level with the price of a single dental filling.
How much fluoride is put into the local water supply?
The oceans and groundwater both contain the naturally found element fluoride. By adding fluoride to drinking water, we get it up to a level that research shows can help in preventing tooth decay. According to the current recommendation, communities must increase fluoride levels to 0.7 milligrams per liter of water.
Like adding vitamins and minerals to certain meals and beverages, fluoride to water helps us acquire the nutrition we need. A few examples are iodine added to salt, vitamin D in milk, and calcium added to orange juice.
