Dentistry isn’t just about the treatment of tooth cavities, decay, gaps, and other infections. It also involves the careful examination of oral health and the preventive measures taken to ensure your teeth don’t fall victim to cavities.
Therefore, it’s expected that any dentist Brighton residents know provides you with the best preventive care and routines. A major component of such routines is fluoride and today we’re going to discover why.
Fluoride and Dentistry: a Match Made for Good Oral Health
We start with a recap of what fluoride is. Fluoride is a mineral compound found in most foods and drinks. It’s known for its role in preventing tooth decay as well as strengthening the enamel. It functions by reversing the early signs of decay and instead mineralises your tooth.
The Role of Fluoride in Dentistry
Regular brushing, flossing, and other oral hygiene routines are the many ways we can reduce the risk of tooth infections. But for better results, we need to ensure the routines are fluoride-based. We’re sure you’ve come across dentists recommending the use of fluoride toothpaste and so on. Ever wondered why?
Sure, fluoride is a great tool for maintaining healthy teeth but just how much of a difference does it make?
To understand how vital fluoride is, you need to know that the major factor contributing to tooth decay is excess demineralisation (essentially, the excess loss of minerals in the tooth). When this occurs, the teeth weaken and become more vulnerable to cavities.
This loss of minerals results from a host of factors, most commonly the activities of sugar and bacteria present in the mouth. These secrete acids that attack the protective layer of the tooth also known as the enamel.
When that occurs, you need to consume meals that contain enough minerals to replenish the lost ones. When that doesn’t happen, you leave your enamels prone to cavities. Now, when fluoride comes into the frame, things get different.
Firstly, fluoride in meals and drinks helps replenish the lost minerals. Secondly, it offers resistance to the effects of acids on the enamel. When you couple this resistance with the replenished nutrients, you find out that your teeth have been well equipped to combat infections.
Applying Fluoride In Dentistry
Fluoride, once again, is present in most foods so a healthy diet helps keep your enamels strong. Also, mouthwash and toothpaste are known to contain fluoride. Therefore, regular brushing and rinsing with mouthwash is another good example of preventive oral hygiene.
Fluoride can also be applied in gel forms. These are painted on the teeth or dispensed in a custom tray. Fluoride varnish is another option for direct application on the teeth. Finally, some dental routines involve dispensing fluoride foam onto a custom tray followed by direct application on the teeth. With any of the above, you can remineralize your teeth for a stronger and better future.
Wrapping Up
Fluoride is essential to all looking to build on their oral health and maintain flawless hygiene. Kids and adults alike all need to incorporate it for proper development. In the end, it provides a good shield against tooth cavities and other tooth diseases.
