Should Fluoride Be Added to Drinking Water to Maintain Dental Health

Should Fluoride Be Added to
Drinking Water to Maintain Dental
Health?
Fluoride is in your drinking water, toothpaste, mouth rinses, and other oral-care products.
It is actually the thirteenth most available element on the earth's crust and is naturally found
in water, soil, foods, and a variety of minerals including fluorapatite and fluorite. If your
body is losing too much fluoride, it is necessary to get it back for your oral health.
In this case, fluoride treatment at Dental Clinic Open On Saturday is highly
recommended.
Fluoride is said to protect the teeth in a number of ways:
● If the teeth are damaged by acid, fluoride gathers in these demineralized areas and
strengthens the enamel. This process is called remineralization.
● However, fluoride also works by preventing the demineralization which is caused by
acid. It is the bacteria in the mouth that combines with sugars that produce the acid
causing the erosion of tooth enamel. This happens by lowering the solubility of tooth
structure in acid conditions.
● There is some evidence fluorapatite which is formed to replace some of the natural
hydroxyapatite in enamel and Dentine slightly modifies the shape of teeth
strengthening the normally weak fissures in the tooth surface.
Be aware. Fluoride is useful for preventing cavities and making teeth stronger, but it is much
less effective if a cavity has already been formed. In the case of extensive tooth decay, visit
an Emergency Dentist.
Why is fluoride added to drinking water?
Around ten percent of the United Kingdom population receives fluoridated water. According
to research conducted, it is stated that adding fluoride to tap water should decrease the
prevalence of tooth decay in the population. This was based on many studies which found
that when fluoride was added to people's drinking water, tooth decay decreased. In addition,
no reputable studies have shown any detrimental effects of fluoride. Consult the Best Dentist
In Houston, if your body is losing too much fluoride
Who requires fluoride?
The simple answer is everybody. Children have a need for fluoride in order to protect their
permanent teeth whilst they are being formed. Adults need fluoride to protect their teeth
from decay. The World Health Organisation considers fluoride an essential dietary nutrient.
If your child experiences ache due to a decayed tooth all of a sudden, consult at Emergency
Dental Clinic.
However, there is a high-risk group of the population who are in more need of fluoride
treatment. These are people:
● With poor snacking habits.
● No (or very little) access to a dental hygienist.
● Poor dental hygiene.
● Diets that are high in carbohydrates/ sugars.
● Bridges, crowns, braces, and other restoration procedures.
● A history of cavities (tooth decay).
When you need fluoride treatment, you can visit Emergency Dental Services.
What happens if you intake too much fluoride?
Whilst fluoride in little amounts has positive effects, fluoride in large quantities can do you
harm. For example, during childhood, if a child were to receive high concentrations of
fluoride during tooth development it can result in tiny white specks or streaks in the enamel
of the tooth. This is an example of a mild case of dental fluorosis.
In more serious cases the tooth may have more evident discoloration and brown markings
which would make the enamel rough and difficult to clean.