Fluoride helps to strengthen the teeth, mak-ing them more resistant to decay!

You may wonder if teeth need fluoride and if it is beneficial for oral health. Fluoride is a mineral that helps to protect teeth from decay. It has been added to public water supplies since the 1940s to help prevent cavities and can be found in many foods and beverages, as well as in toothpaste and other dental products. While everyone’s needs are different, most people can benefit from using fluoride products to keep their teeth healthy. Let’s take a closer look at fluoride and its im-pact on oral health…

What is fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found in our teeth and bones, in water, and a variety of foods. The mineral is added to water supplies in most of Australia’s main cities.
Fluoride is also used widely in dentistry. It can be found in various oral health products, such as toothpaste and mouth rinses. It can also be applied to the teeth by your dentist as a preventative treatment.

What are the benefits of fluoride?

When you eat or drink something containing sugar or carbohydrates, harmful acids are produced that wear away at the minerals in your teeth’s enamel. This process, which weakens the teeth and increases the risk of cavities over time, is known as demineralisation.
Fluoride helps to strengthen the teeth by remineralising the enamel. This makes the enamel more resistant to the damaging effects of acid and helps to prevent cavities from developing. In fact, fluoride can reverse early decay and hinder the production of harmful acids in the mouth.

Where can you get fluoride?

Fluoride can be found in most sources of tap water and can also be applied to the teeth with the use of fluoridated toothpaste and rinses.
If you are particularly prone to cavities, your dentist might recommend that you undergo a fluoride treatment. In this case, fluoride is applied directly to the teeth in the form of a varnish, gel, or foam. The treatments that are administered by a dental professional contain much higher concen-trations of fluoride than products like toothpaste and mouth rinses.

When is fluoride most important?

Because of its ability to strengthen the enamel and prevent tooth decay, fluoride is especially im-portant for young children.
Fluoride is also highly beneficial for people who are particularly prone to tooth decay. This includes individuals who suffer from dry mouth and gum disease. People with crowns, bridges, or braces also tend to be at higher risk of tooth decay and can benefit from fluoride treatment.
The reality is that most people can benefit from fluoride, so if you would like to know more about the process and whether it would be good for you, it’s a good idea to chat with your dentist.

How can we help?

At Dream Smiles Specialist Centre, we encourage all our patients to come in for regular check-ups and cleanings so that we can help maintain the condition of your smile. When you come in and see us, we will examine your teeth thoroughly and let you know if any issues need to be addressed. We will also address any questions and/or concerns that you have regarding your oral health and provide you with advice when it comes to keeping your teeth healthy and strong.

To find out more about the general dentistry services that we provide at Dream Smiles Specialist Centre, please have a look here.

To learn about the full range of treatments that we provide, please have a look here. We offer a comprehensive range of dental services and treat patients of all ages.
To book an appointment at Dream Smiles Specialist Centre, please contact us here or give us a call at 07 33441220.