We all know how important brushing and flossing are for healthy teeth. But do you know dentists stress using fluoride? It is known to boost the health of your teeth, strengthening them and giving you a bright smile. So if you’re wondering what fluoride does for teeth, this blog is for you. We will tell you why you should consider professional fluoride treatment.
About Fluoride
First, let us discuss what fluoride is. It is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found in Earth’s crust and is widely distributed in nature. Moreover, foods and water supplies also contain fluoride. Oftentimes it is added to drinking water to ensure strong teeth with reduced decay.
It was in the 1930s when the effectiveness of fluoride in preventing cavities was discovered. Researchers found that children who grew up drinking water that was naturally fluoridated had less tooth decay compared to people living in regions with no fluoridated water.
How Does Fluoride Work On Teeth
The answer to how fluoride works is slightly technical. Your teeth go through the demineralization and remineralization process; that’s where fluoride does its job.
The bacteria residing on your teeth feed on the sugar and other carbohydrates you consume, producing acidic saliva. The acidic saliva works to weaken your dental enamel, which causes tooth decay. Fluoride, however, works to remineralize your teeth and protect them from damage. Hence, fluoride prevents your teeth from damage caused by the demineralization process. This mineral keeps your teeth strong and resilient to the negative effects of demineralization.
In addition, fluoride replenishes calcium and phosphate ions when your saliva is less acidic. This is known as the remineralization process, which helps keep your teeth hard and strong. If minerals are lost without replacement, you will face tooth decay.
Fluoride Benefits for Teeth
Using fluoride has many benefits for teeth. You can expect stronger, healthier, and brighter teeth. You can also visit your dentist for professional fluoride treatment to retain the maximum advantages of this mineral.
Fluoride boosts your dental health by remineralizing the weakened tooth enamel — this is the primary benefit of professional treatment. Your teeth will be much stronger and healthier once the procedure is performed. Additionally, the mineral loss is slowed down with the help of fluoride. Therefore, when fluoride replenishes the minerals that plaque bacteria attack, you can look forward to better oral health.
Once tooth decay starts, it’s almost impossible to reverse it. In fact, you require professional dental treatments such as filling, bonding, etc. Fluoride treatments, however, can help reverse tooth decay in its early stages. That’s not all — fluoride can prevent harmful bacteria from growing in your mouth.
Many individuals wonder if fluoride can whiten teeth. The truth is, since it reduces tooth decay and reverses it in the early stage, it can act as a whitener. It doesn’t whiten your teeth directly, but fluoride works to improve teeth sensitivity and reverse cavities, which can help lessen the possibility of teeth stains.
What’s Next?
In conclusion, fluoride is a safe and effective approach to making your teeth healthy. You will notice your teeth look strong and bright after a professional fluoride procedure. So, without further ado, boost your dental health by visiting Gateway Family Dentistry at 13029 Stockdale Hwy, # 100, Bakersfield, CA 93314. You can schedule an appointment today at 661-829-7905.