Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and, in most places, our water supply. Your dentist in San Antonio can help you understand how fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making the tooth more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth.
A diet insufficient in fluoride will result in tooth decay. It is critical for children between six months and sixteen years to be exposed to fluoride. This is the time when both primary and permanent teeth develop. Even adults may benefit from fluoride as research has shown that topical fluoride – those obtained from using toothpaste, mouth rinses and fluoride treatments – are important in the fight against tooth decay.
There are two ways to introduce fluoride into the body – topical fluorides as mentioned above and systemic fluorides, those that are swallowed. Ideally a combination of the two offers the most protection against developing dental decay. Your dentist has available an in-office fluoride treatment to maximize topical protection. The fluoride obtained from your dentist is a much stronger concentration than that found in toothpastes or fluoride mouth rinses.
Fluoride treatments delivered by your dentist generally take only a few minutes. They are available in the form of a solution, gel, foam or varnish. Typically your dentist will apply the fluoride with a brush, or it will be placed in a tray that is kept in the mouth for several minutes.
There are some people who are more at risk of developing dental decay due to:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Active caries (tooth decay)
- Eating disorders or poor diet
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Lack of regular professional dental care
- Exposed root surfaces of teeth
- Dry mouth conditions
- Gum disease
- Presence of crowns and /or bridges or braces
For anyone in this group, professionally delivered fluoride treatments are particularly important. In addition, to minimize dental decay, it is important to maintain excellent oral hygiene habits such as brushing twice per day and daily flossing. A visit to your dentist twice per year for a professional cleaning and exam in addition to fluoride treatments provided by your dentist will offer you the best protection available against developing dental decay.
