You might have heard about fluoride a thousand times already on TV commercials or have seen it on dental products, but do you know what fluoride is and what it really does? Fluoride is an essential mineral that can be found on water and soil and is helpful when it comes to increasing the teeth’s protection against cavity causing bacteria so that your teeth can resist its attacks and avoid tooth decay and cavities. Fluoride also helps calcium to be restored in your in your teeth, which is essential in treating an early stage of a cavity before it causes a hole in your teeth.

How do you increase fluoride consumption for your teeth?

• Topical fluoride. Topical fluoride is the one that can just be found in the toothpaste and mouth rinses that can just be directly applied to your teeth. The amount of fluoride contained in these products are safe and effective for use and just enough to help your teeth get the protection they need to fight tooth decay. These products cannot be swallowed and that is why you need to rinse them off from your mouth. If the fluoride in these toothpaste and mouth rinses are not enough to provide the protection your teeth need, your dentist can perform a fluoride treatment for you. The fluoride used in a dental office can be in a form of a gel, varnish or foams and are left on your teeth for a few minutes. You can also be recommended additional fluoride supplements for home use if you are at a higher risk of cavities.
• Systemic fluoride. This is the type of fluoride that can be ingested through fluoridated water, food and drinks and other food supplements. This is the one that is just absorbed in your body and once it gets absorbed, it will be distributed to the rest of your body including your teeth. The best time for absorption is during the development period of teeth which is why fluoride should be given to a child while his or her teeth are still developing. Even your saliva naturally contains fluoride which is why saliva is also helpful in providing protection for your teeth.

What is fluoridated water?Fluoridated water is the water supply in your community that contains a certain level of fluoride so as to increase the fluoride protection of the consumers. In the areas where the water supply is fluoridated, drinking tap water can already provide the fluoride needs of people so that they can get the protection they need for their teeth against bacteria and plaque. This method of increasing fluoride consumption among consumers is known to be a safe method to help the public avoid oral health problems.If you want to find out if the water supply in your area is fluoridated, you can check with your local water company. And if you confirm that your water is fluoridated, it will be a lot better if you drink from it instead of switching to bottles waters, so that you can get the maximum benefits that fluoride offers. If you lack fluoride for your teeth and the products containing it are not enough to provide the protection that you need, then you can consult your dentist so that he can prescribe fluoride supplements which can be in a form of tablets or drops, topical gels and mouth rinses.How safe is fluoride for children?The best time for fluoride to be absorbed is during the development of your teeth. However, fluoride for kids should be monitored otherwise, it can lead to a condition called fluorosis. Fluorosis is the condition by which the enamel gets melted and specks and spots become visible on the teeth.Parents should monitor the fluoride treatment for kids even the fluoride in toothpastes, mouth rinses and supplements just to make sure that they do not ingest too much. If you need to be sure, you can ask your dentist about the right fluoride amount that you and your children need. You can also ask about other safe options by which you can increase your fluoride ingestion with just the right amount.If you need to know more about fluoride and how it can benefit your oral health, call Hoffman Smiles at (847) 250-6979, or visit us at 990 Grand Canyon Parkway Suite 215, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169.