Fluoride is a fantastic resource for preventing tooth decay and infection. Why? It strengthens your tooth enamel. Your enamel is that white, hard, outermost layer of your teeth that protects your dentin and pulp. When your enamel erodes, fluoride can repair and strengthen its weakened defenses.
In the 1960s, a movement spread across America where many communities voted to include fluoride in their water supplies to strengthen and protect the teeth of their residents. The process of adding fluoride to water is called “fluoridation”. Today, 29 of 30 of the U.S. largest cities fluoridate their water supply, and about two thirds of the U.S. population overall has access to fluoridated public water.
If consumed in large quantities, fluoride can cause a condition called fluorosis in children. Symptoms include white streaks on the teeth in mild cases or brown stains and broken enamel where the condition is more severe. For adults with fully developed teeth, fluorosis is not a risk. Fortunately, for the health and safety of our children’s teeth, the Centers for Disease Control allows a limit of 0.7 milligrams of fluoride for every 1 liter of water. According to the CDC, even when factoring in the average exposure to other sources of fluoride, such as toothpaste, fluoride treatments or food sources, this level of exposure is helpful in both treating tooth decay and avoiding fluorosis.
If your teeth are prone to decay, you can call Dr. Edmon R. Hutchison at Royse City Dental Care in Royse City, Texas at 972-636-2417 for a fluoride treatment. We are trained to use fluoride to meet your specific needs. Let us help you protect and strengthen your smile.