If you have ever asked yourself whether fluoride is good or bad for you, you are not alone. Many people have questions about this common mineral. As your trusted SE Calgary Dentist, we feel it is important to provide some straightforward information in order to help you make informed decisions about your dental health.
Let’s take a look at the benefits and potential hazards of fluoride in drinking water and dental care.
Why Is Fluoride Used in Dental Care?
A naturally occurring mineral, fluoride can be found in food, soil, and water. A lot of dentists recommend fluoride because it has been proven to prevent cavities and help strengthen tooth enamel. You can find fluoride in:
- Toothpastes
- Mouth rinses
- Tap water (if the source is fluoridated)
- Fluoride treatments at your dentist’s clinic
What Are the Health Benefits of Fluoride?
More than 70 years have been spent researching the health benefits of fluoride in drinking water. What we do know is:
- Prevent cavity formation: Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, the hard outermost layer of your teeth, which protects against decay.
- Repair early demineralization of the tooth: Fluoride can repair demineralized enamel that has just begun to become decayed, before a cavity fully forms.
- Protects for all ages: Fluoride benefits children and adults, even those who have never had cavities.
- Cost-effective: Adding fluoride to community drinking water is an easy and cost-effective way to benefit an entire population’s dental health without asking them to change their daily behaviour.
Fluoride acts like a shield, protecting teeth from sugars and acids.
Are There Any Risks of Using Fluoride?
There may be some risks associated with fluoride, but it is safe to use in small amounts:
Risk | What It Means | Who It Affects Most |
Dental Fluorosis | White dots or faint lines on teeth (cosmetic only) | Young children under 8 |
Skeletal Fluorosis | A rare bone condition from very high fluoride over time | People in areas with high natural fluoride |
Swallowing Toothpaste | Upset stomach or risk of too much fluoride intake | Small children |
Tips to stay safe with fluoride:
This is why regular checkups and the right dental care are so important. Your dentist can guide you on whether your fluoride levels are just right.
- Instruct kids to spit out toothpaste and not to swallow it.
- Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste for small children.
- Keep young children away from fluoride.
- If your water has high natural fluoride levels, ask your dentist or local health unit for more information.
- Fluoride is good—but, like anything else, the right amount is important.
How Do You Know If You’re Getting the Right Amount of Fluoride?
- Check Your Water: Some cities have added fluoride to their water, and others don’t. To find out, speak with your local water supplier.
- Visit a Dentist: A Dentist near you in SE Calgary will tell you whether you or your child requires more fluoride through treatments or supplements.
- Examine Labels: Many dental products contain fluoride, including mouth rinses as well as teeth cleaning products. Ensure that you are using products that are checked and approved by the dental associations.
Finding the right amount of fluoride can keep your teeth healthy and strong without doing too much.
Can You Get Too Little Fluoride?
Certainly! Without enough fluoride:
- Your teeth can get more cavities.
- While their teeth are growing, children may acquire thinner enamel.
- You may be required to have more dental work completed in the future. This can be costly and stressful.
This is why it is important to visit your dentist regularly and provide appropriate dental care for your teeth. If your fluoride levels are just correct, your dentist can tell you.
Protect Your Smile with Sorensen Dental Group
Keeping your teeth healthy starts with the right knowledge—and the right dental team. At Sorensen Dental Group, we care about helping you and your family learn how to fluoridate safely and effectively. We will help support your smile, whether that’s through professional cleanings, fluoride treatments, or just some good, honest advice.
Are you ready to get educated on fluoride in your dental care? Schedule your appointment today to see how this simple mineral could help improve your dental health!
