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Fluoride is a mineral that naturally occurs in water, soil, and foods. It’s also added to many products that we use every day—everything from toothpaste to drinking water. When used in small amounts, fluoride can help prevent tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel, one of the main layers of your teeth. Some communities add small amounts of fluoride to their water supply as a public health measure to promote good oral health for everyone.

While the Canada Dental Association (CDA) recognizes the benefits of fluoride in preventing cavities, we also realize that too much fluoride can be harmful. Too much fluoride can cause white spots on teeth, permanently damage developing teeth, and even cause tooth discoloration. That’s why we recommend talking to your dentist about the right amount of fluoride for your child’s needs. Your dentist may recommend using low-concentration fluoride varnishes to protect your child’s teeth as they learn to develop proper oral hygiene habits.

Why is Fluoride Important?

Fluoride is important for a number of reasons, but primarily because it prevents tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs when acids in your mouth eat away at your teeth, and fluoride works to remineralize and strengthen your teeth to prevent that damage. This is why it’s such an important part of both toothpastes and mouth rinses that your dental hygienist may recommend for you. In addition to helping prevent tooth decay, fluoride also works to strengthen enamel and help teeth resist cavities and sensitivity.

Since it works to build tooth enamel, it’s also useful for those who are experiencing dry mouth – a condition that can eventually begin to erode your enamel if you don’t take proper steps to treat it. Without the necessary amount of saliva to protect your mouth from harmful bacteria and other debris, oral health issues like gum disease and bad breath can begin to develop. But, since fluoride helps re-mineralize the teeth and strengthen your oral tissues, it can help this type of condition as well. It can even help those who suffer from sensitive teeth be more comfortable during brushing and even when eating certain foods or drinking hot or cold beverages.

Benefits of Fluoride Toothpaste

- Strengthens teeth against decay.

- Makes enamel more resistant to acid attacks from the bacteria in your mouth.

- Promotes remineralization of the tooth surface when acids have softened the enamel of your teeth.

- Helps to fill small cavities that might form in hard to reach places on the tooth surface such as in between the teeth or in the back molars.

- Helps to prevent white spots or streaks that can appear on the enamel of the teeth.

- Prevents or reverses root sensitivity. Root sensitivity can be painful and make eating and drinking very difficult. A fluoride toothpaste can help reduce the level of pain that is caused by roots sensitivity.

- Increases the rate of remineralization for teeth that have received a root canal treatment.

- Improves the health of your gums. Gum disease can lead to a number of dental health problems so it is important to protect your oral health by maintaining healthy gums.

- Helps prevent the development of mouth sores. Mouth sores are uncomfortable and can make it difficult to eat and talk. By using a fluoride based toothpaste you can reduce the likelihood of developing mouth sores.

- Can be used to relieve gum irritation. Some patients use fluoride to reduce gum irritation caused by braces.

- Helps to keep your teeth looking clean and fresh. When you use a fluoride based toothpaste it can help remove plaque and other debris from your teeth. This can help reduce the risk of staining to your teeth as well.

- Can help to reduce or eliminate bad breath. Bad breath can be caused by a number of different factors including dry mouth,

To learn more, schedule your dental checkup and cleaning with Dr. Jennifer nguyen! Call our office at (825) 467-8888 at Legacy Dental Clinic located at 4224 Gateway Blvd Edmonton, AB