2 Ways Fluoride Helps You Avoid Tooth Decay
Although some people try to find alternatives for products, such as conventional toothpastes, which contain fluoride, the mineral is promoted as helping avoid tooth decay for multiple reasons. Here are two of them.:
It hardens tooth enamel.
Fluoride aids in the remineralization of the teeth, making the enamel harder. Tooth enamel that includes areas that have been compromised due to exposure to oral acids can be repaired in the presence of fluoride.
The chemical compound can coat the enamel and attract important elements back to the weakened tooth. As elements, such as calcium, are tracked it back to the enamel and combined with fluoride, a new tooth material forms. The new fluoride-based compound is more acid-resistant than the original, natural tooth material.
Much of the decay that is suffered by tooth enamel is due to bacteria that reside in the mouth. Oral bacteria feed on the carbohydrate components of food that is ingested by a person. The digestive process of the bacteria is called glycolysis and results in the release of acid as a by-product of the process.
The acid dissolves the tooth enamel, removing important minerals from the enamel. Although the minerals may remain in the mouth for a period, they are not automatically assimilated back into the enamel. Thus, the presence of fluoride in the mouth can be especially important in decay prevention. It is the demineralization of the tooth material that causes dental caries.
It reduces the number of oral bacteria.
The bacteria in the mouth can continue to feed as long as nothing interrupts their process. Still, in the presence of substances such as fluoride, the feeding process can be interrupted to help promote a decline in oral bacterial numbers.
A study conducted to review fluoride's effects on oral bacteria found that fluoride cause the microbes to become more sensitive to the presence of acid. This sensitivity incites an interruption in glycolysis.
The teeth can be exposed to fluoride in multiple ways, such as inclusion in drinking water, conventional toothpastes, fluoride mouth rinses and professional fluoride treatments. Professional fluoride treatments expose the teeth to higher concentrations of the mineral than other means of fluoride exposure. In addition, the in-office treatments are long-lasting.
To determine whether or not a professional fluoride treatment is advised for you, schedule a consultation with a local dentist. He or she can assess your oral health to determine whether or not you need more cavity protection. Contact a business, such as a Mammoth Spring Dental Clinic LLC, for more information about fluoride.
