Fluoride and You, Without the Conspiracy Theories

Fluoride and You, Without the Conspiracy Theories

True, there are various nut jobs who think that fluoridation in the local water supply is a Communist or government conspiracy to control the minds of those drinkin
g the water. Also true, those people are probably some of the people who benefit the most from having that fluoride in the water!

Dr. Egger, a big fluoride fan from way back, wants his patients to be knowledgeable about taking care of their teeth. Fluoride, especially in children, is a crucial tool in fighting tooth decay.

So, here’s some information that you may not know about fluoride and why we use it to help protect your teeth.

How does fluoride work? Why does it help?

Your mouth every day is like a mine, with minerals coming and going. Minerals are added to and lost from a tooth’s enamel layer through two processes, demineralization and remineralization. Demineralization is the problem. Minerals are lost from a tooth’s enamel layer when acids, formed from the bacteria in plaque and sugars in the mouth, attack the enamel. Fortunately, when you eat foods and drink water, minerals such as fluoride, calcium, and phosphate remineralize the teeth. Therein lies the ongoing battle — too much demineralization without remineralization results in tooth decay.

Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in many foods and water. It helps prevent tooth decay by making the tooth enamel more resistant to those acids from bacteria and sugars in the mouth. Fluoride also has the cool effect of reversing early cases of decay. For kids under 6, fluoride becomes incorporated into the development of permanent teeth. This makes the teeth resistant to the assault of acids to demineralize the teeth. Fluoride also speeds remineralization and disrupts acid production in the mouth.

When is fluoride the most beneficial?

It was thought that only children benefit from fluoride, but new research shows that topical fluoride from toothpastes, mouth rinses, and fluoride treatments are important to help adult teeth fight decay. For children, it’s long been known that children between 6 months and 16 years need fluoride to help build their teeth.

Fluoride treatments with Dr. Egger

So, now you know that fluoride is one of your mouth’s best friends. Dr. Egger provides fluoride treatments to give our patients a more concentrated occasional fluoride application. We apply fluoride varnish topically at each appointment of our younger patients. Call us at 989-773-3560 and set up your appointment.