Fluoride is one of the most substantial elements on the face of the earth and is an essential ingredient in much of the toothpaste people use. You can find it regularly in nature, in both plants and animals and in many foods. Not only do dentists strictly use fluoride in the field of dentistry, fluorine is talked about almost daily. But do people really know how it works and why it is beneficial to dental health? Scheduling a visit with your local General Dentistry in DC may help.
Its positive effects were first noticeable when people began to see that the inhabitants of the areas where the water contains fluoride had a much lower percentage of decay than in other populations. Fluoride prevents the adherence of bacteria to tooth-sticking calcium, making it more difficult for the bacterial fermentation of sugars, thus modifying the structure of the tooth enamel, giving it greater strength and better defense against acids. But how does fluoride work? After food intake, food debris causes acid demineralization, and it is during these processes when fluorine performs its natural function.
If fluoride is present in remineralization, the minerals deposited have a higher hardness, thereby avoiding the dissolution of calcium and phosphorus beneath the tooth surface that occurs in the demineralization phase. How can you avoid excess fluoride? Like everything else, excess fluoride can be harmful. Beginning in the 1950s many countries decided to incorporate fluoride water for human consumption, but some scientists question that is effective as a preventive measure considering that it only works when there are cavities, and there is no unanimity on the minimum safe dose. The only way to properly know how much fluoride you need is to visit your local General Dentistry in DC.
Too much fluoride could cause fluorosis which weakens the enamel and consequently causes the appearance of more cavities. In addition to that, bones weaken and staining or discoloration can become present. If you have any of these symptoms, you should visit your dental center to make sure a dentist can propose the best solution. Get additional info here or contact your local dentist today.
