Grove's Blog

Grove's Blog

Posts for tag: Fluoride

May 02, 2012
Category: Oral Health
Tags: Fluoride  

Maintaining healthy teeth requires more than daily brushing and flossing. In fact, don’t be surprised if at your next dental check-up your dentist asks you about your fluoride intake or your water supply. That’s because fluoride, a substance found naturally in drinking water, plays a critical role in healthy tooth development and cavity prevention.

Fluoride benefits children and adults.  It helps prevent and reverse the early signs of tooth decay by protecting teeth from erosion and strengthening the enamel.  Fluoride may be ingested from the food and water we eat and drink, or applied topically through toothpastes and mouth rinses containing fluoride. 

How much fluoride you need should be discussed with your dentist, but generally, children under 6 get the right amount of fluoride through a combination of fluoridated toothpaste and fluoridated water. So, how do you know whether or not your tap water is fluoridated? Fluoridation levels in water differ from place to place. If you are unsure, contact your local water district to find out. 

When used appropriately, fluoride is safe and effective. But parents should be aware that too much fluoride before 8 years of age (a critical period when teeth are developing) could cause enamel fluorosis, discoloration of permanent teeth.Carefully supervise your children when they use any product containing fluoride, and keep fluoride out of reach of very young children.

If you have any questions about your water's fluoride content, the fluoridated products your child uses, or whether your child is receiving too much or too little fluoride, talk to your dentist. Grove Dental has experienced pediatric dentists on staff at all four office locations, dedicated exclusively to treating little mouths.

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