There’s a lot of misinformation about fluoride floating around, and this can lead many people to miss out on the host of fantastic benefits this mineral can provide for their oral health. Miniscule amounts of fluoride have been added to the local water supplies of American cities since the 1940s, and this has prevented countless cavities and saved citizens untold millions of dollars. Here’s a brief guide to how fluoride can safely protect your oral health.
What Is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a mineral that can be found in the structure of healthy bones and teeth, and is also naturally present in water, air, soil, and plants. Dentists often perform fluoride treatments in their offices to reinforce enamel and prevent cavities, and the chemical is also added in small amounts to water supplies in much of America. There is no evidence that fluoride causes any side effects when administered at appropriate levels, and it is one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent tooth decay.
How Does Fluoride Help Teeth?
The oral health benefits of fluoride were discovered in the early twentieth century when a dentist sought to find out why the people of Colorado Springs were less likely to develop cavities. Research shows that water fluoridation reduces tooth decay in both children and adults by 25%, which prevents the need for many costly restorative treatments. Fluoride benefits teeth in ways such as:
- Replacing lost minerals in tooth enamel
- Reducing the rate at which these minerals are lost
- Reversing tooth decay in its early stages
- Preventing the growth of destructive oral bacteria.
How Can I Get More Fluoride?
Because of its incredible ability to prevent tooth decay, fluoride is often found in a variety of oral healthcare products such as toothpaste, antibacterial mouthwash, and dietary supplements. However, you can also get fluoride from many foods and beverages. A few of these include:
- Potatoes
- Bananas
- Fluoridated water
- Oatmeal
- Spinach
- Black tea
- Seafood
- Grapes
- Raisins (these have the highest known naturally occurring concentration of fluoride in any food)
Don’t let a little misinformation dissuade you from enjoying the incredible oral health benefits of fluoride. By following your dentist’s recommendations, you can protect your teeth from infection and injury and keep your smile in great shape for life.
About the Author
Dr. Brett Noorda earned his dental degree at the Oregon Health Sciences University School of Dentistry where he received the Larry E. Sorum Memorial Award for Excellence in Endodontics. He is also a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and holds a Mastership in the College of Sedation Dentistry. His office in Henderson offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. To learn more about the benefits of fluoride, contact his office online or dial (702) 456-7403.