Fluoride is a naturally occurring element present in teeth. It is essential for tooth development and protects the enamel from the dangerous microorganisms and plaque acids that cause cavities. Fluoride is lost regularly as a result of the teeth’s exposure to acidic beverages, meals, and other germs in the mouth. However, there is no need to be concerned because fluoride may be supplied by consuming fluoride-rich foods and beverages or by utilizing certain oral care products.
What is fluoride?
Let us begin with a brief overview of fluoride. Fluoride is a natural mineral. It promotes the growth of robust teeth and aids in the prevention of tooth decay. Fluoride is particularly beneficial in the early stages of tooth caries. Dental caries can be treated at the microscopic level with topical fluoride treatments before it causes significant harm to the teeth.
What is the significance of fluoride?
Fluoride is one of the most effective and safest methods of cavity prevention for both children and adults. Bacteria in your mouth thrive on the sugars in the foods we eat and the beverages we drink. This releases acid, which can erode the hard outer coating of your tooth. Cavities may result as a result of this. Fluoride protects teeth by strengthening them and making them more acid-resistant. It not only minimizes the chance of cavities but can also help reverse early signs of degradation. Fluoride in water was named a top public health achievement of the twentieth century due to its success in preventing cavities. For the best preventative dental care in Bradley IL, visit Joyful Smiles Pediatric Dentistry.
What Is the Function of Fluoride?
- Teeth Development – Fluoride prevents tooth decay and cavities in youngsters by interacting with calcium and phosphate to harden developing teeth before they come through the gums. Later in the child’s life, these teeth will be more resistant to decay.
- Teeth that have emerged – Fluoride continues to strengthen a child’s teeth even after their permanent teeth have sprouted, a process known as remineralization. When you eat, bacteria in your mouth break down the sugars in your food and produce acids that can damage and demineralize your enamel. The fluoride, calcium, and phosphate in your saliva are absorbed into the crystalline mineral structure of your enamel, rehardening it and reversing early-stage tooth decay soft areas.
Fluoride Treatments
Over 90% of all persons will have tooth decay at some point in their lives. Even the best at-home brushing and flossing routines aren’t always guaranteed strategies to avoid tooth decay, especially in children. Children’s teeth have thinner enamel than adult teeth, making them more prone to bacteria. The pace at which bacteria attack the enamel is also influenced by genetics, nutrition, and a variety of other variables. Fluoride helps to maintain the strength and integrity of your child’s tooth enamel while also lowering the chance of decay and cavities. This is especially crucial for children who are not cooperative in developing good at-home hygiene habits, as well as for children with special needs.
We hope that this blog has provided you with all of the information you need on fluoride use in children. Please contact Joyful Smiles Pediatric Dentistry for the best pediatric dentistry treatments in Bradley, IL. Give us a call today!
