The Myths and Facts about Fluoride Treatments

 

Water and food both have a natural mineral known as fluoride which offers several health benefits. Studies conducted have revealed that fluoride can strengthen the density of the bones. However, it is widely popular for its role in protecting the teeth from tooth decay. It has been included in a wide range of dental products like toothpaste or mouthwash. Children are provided fluoride as drops or tablets and community water supplies are also added fluoride. Using fluoridated water helps to strengthen and protect the teeth by strengthening the enamel.

Despite the obvious benefits of fluoride being known to all many myths are circulating regarding its use especially in water. The advent of the Internet has made it possible for everyone to research and spread information but it is also it has also given rise to negative and disconcerting information being published about fluoride. Most of the information is not based on facts but has caused concern among people regarding the effectiveness and the safety of using fluoride. Therefore it is essential for people to educate themselves and be in a position to separate the facts from the myths for the health of their teeth.

  • Myth: People drinking fluoridated water can develop fluorosis.
  • Fact: When any person takes high quantities of fluoride he or she can develop fluorosis. In the United States, the fluoride added to water is in low quantities and unlikely to burden people with the problem of fluorosis. Rare cases have been observed in the US that are typically in the mild form.
  • Myth: Fluoride is harmful to children.
  • Fact: when it is provided as intended fluoride is not harmful to children. Drinking fluoridated water or getting fluoride treatments during a dental examination not only helps to strengthen the teeth but also prevents cavities as children grow. Fluoride cannot prevent tooth decay but can certainly act as a preventive measure against cavities.
  • Myth: Communities find it difficult and expensive to fluoridate water.
  • Fact: Preventing tooth decay inexpensively by adding fluoride to the water is cheaper than treating tooth decay which would have created an eating issue among people.
  • Myth: Drinking fluoridated water causes cancer.
  • Fact: Nothing could be farther than the truth. Fluoride is harmless and has a number of advantages and does not cause any conditions including diabetes, kidney problems, or heart disease. It has been endorsed for its safety by the Institute of Medicine as well as the American Academy of Family Physicians.
  • Myth: Fluoridated water does not impact tooth decay in any way.
  • Fact: Numerous studies conducted in the United States have revealed that fluoridation can indeed reduce tooth decay among both children and adults.

Why Get a Professional Fluoride Treatment?

Professional fluoride treatments have a concentrated rinse, varnish, gel, or foam and the potency of the fluoride is higher than what is found in toothpaste or water. You can decide whether you want to get professional treatment or not by considering whether you are at a high risk of developing cavities or dental caries. It could happen if you are not maintaining proper oral hygiene and allowing plaque and bacteria to build upon your teeth. These two combined together to erode the teeth and gum tissue, breaking down the enamel layer and infecting the nerves and blood at the center of the tooth.

If you have any of the conditions mentioned above you should be contacting Dr. George who is a dentist in Katy for a dental examination and professional fluoride treatments if necessary. The treatment will only take a few minutes to apply but you will be instructed not to eat or drink anything for the next 30 minutes after the treatment for the fluoride to be fully absorbed by your teeth.

Fluoride functions by restoring the minerals to the surfaces of the tooth where the bacteria may have enjoyed themselves on the enamel. It can also prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms in the mouth to prevent further cavities.

Fluoride is not capable of removing tooth decay but it can create a stronger outer surface of the teeth to prevent any decay from entering the deeper parts of the teeth. These are facts that must be understood without believing the myths that are being circulated about fluoride treatments and their harmful and/or beneficial properties.