Although brushing and flossing can help avoid common dental concerns, such as cavities and gum disease, it’s also important to visit your dentist regularly for routine checkups and cleanings. Standard preventive visits allow them to clear away even the most stubborn plaque and tartar buildup, polish your smile to a shine, and even strengthen your enamel with topical fluoride.
But if you’ve heard criticisms of fluoride, especially regarding its inclusion in drinking water, you might wonder how safe this ingredient is for your teeth. Continue reading to learn more about it and why it’s sometimes added to public water supplies!
What Causes Cavities?
Did you know that your mouth is home to billions of bacteria that can represent hundreds of different species at any given time? Some of these are necessary for certain processes, such as digestion, to be successful. However, others are less benign.
For example, dental decay, also known as caries or cavities, occurs when unhealthy germs in your mouth overpower the helpful ones and produce enamel-eroding acids that can wear through the protective outer layer of your teeth. Unfortunately, cavities can be contagious, and the longer they go untreated, the more likely they are to spread and affect neighboring teeth or jawbone.
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a natural mineral found in soil, water, and rocks, and is therefore also frequently found in naturally growing foliage. But you may have noticed that it’s also included in dental products, such as toothpaste and mouthwash, and is even sometimes offered as a topical treatment after a routine checkup and cleaning. This is because it helps pull essential minerals from your saliva, such as calcium and phosphate, to help strengthen your enamel. This can help prevent or even reverse early-stage tooth decay and prevent it from spreading.
Is Fluoridated Drinking Water Safe?
Sometimes, this ingredient is also added to public water sources to fortify a population’s dental health. But if you’ve heard criticisms about this practice, you might wonder how safe it is.
It’s true that fluoride can indeed be problematic if large quantities are ingested. For example, excessive amounts can potentially cause dental fluorosis, or discolored enamel, in children who are overexposed. It might also lead to a painful bone condition known as skeletal fluorosis. However, only a small, safe dose is added to public water supplies, oral hygiene products, and dental treatments. Your dentist’s priority is to help you build and maintain a happy, healthy smile, but not at the cost of your general well-being.
If you have additional questions about fluoride or its benefits, you can learn more by scheduling a checkup with your dentist!
Meet the Author
Dr. Joseph Salvaggio has 20+ years of experience helping people of all ages build and maintain strong, healthy teeth and gums. He earned his dental degree from the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry, and has since completed additional training in specialty topics, such as implant dentistry and cosmetics. Today, he offers a comprehensive menu of services, including fluoride treatments, to meet you and your family’s unique needs under one roof. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (289) 569-0721.