Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in many popular foods and supplies of safe drinking water, and it can deliver a wide range of oral health benefits that can help keep a person’s smile in great shape for life. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation about fluoride floating about that may discourage some people from taking advantage of it. Here’s a quick look at the benefits of fluoride and how it can help protect your teeth from erosion and painful infections.
How Can Fluoride Help Teeth?
Fluoride’s amazing ability to reinforce enamel and prevent dental infections was discovered when a dentist was researching unusual dental stains in a Colorado town in the 1800s. During his studies, this oral health professional found that small amounts of fluoride in drinking water could help strengthen teeth without causing dental stains. Since then, communities have instituted drinking water fluoridation programs that prevent cavities and save people millions of dollars in restorative dental work every year.
How Can I Get Enough Fluoride?
While drinking fluoridated water is a great way to help ensure that you get enough of this crucial mineral, it’s also important to make sure you are using fluoridated toothpaste. You can also find fluoride in foods like:
- Grapes
- Shellfish
- Potatoes
- Spinach and other leafy greens
- Asparagus
- White rice
- Carrots
How Can My Dentist Use Fluoride to Protect My Teeth?
Your dentist can help prevent cavities by applying a topical fluoride treatment to your smile during your exam and cleaning. During this procedure, your oral health professional will administer a gel containing concentrated fluoride to your teeth, and you’ll need to refrain from eating and drinking for at least half an hour afterward so your teeth can absorb the mineral. This can give your smile a little extra protection that can reduce tooth decay and help you avoid oral infections.
Don’t let a little misinformation dissuade you from receiving beneficial fluoride treatments. Consulting with your dentist can help you understand how to keep your smile in great shape.
About the Author
Dr. Jonathan H. Cohen earned his dental degree at the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and completed a General Practice Residency at University Hospital in Syracuse. He is proud to be a member of the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. His office in Fruit Cove offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. To learn more about the benefits of fluoride treatments, contact his office online or dial (904) 230-2961.