For many people, dental routines consist of two steps; brushing and flossing. However, in order to take the best care of your teeth, it’s important to do more than that. One extra step to take is to rinse with a mouthwash like Listerine. Another step that is often overlooked is using fluoride.
Some may wonder, are the fluoride treatments we receive at the dentist’s office actually effective? Learn more about fluoride and its importance to dental health below.
Fluoride Facts
Importance of Fluoride
Fluoride is very important for oral health. Specifically, the mineral protects and strengthens tooth enamel. This is crucial in helping to prevent cavities and keep your teeth stronger as you age.
An adequate supply of fluoride can go a long way to preventing tooth damage. Many public water systems add fluoride to the water supply, and toothpastes often are fortified with fluoride, but for those who do not get enough by other means, the dentist can also provide fluoride treatment.
Fluoride for Children
Fluoride is especially important for young children. Their baby teeth are especially susceptible to damage. Getting a child plenty of fluoride before, during, and after their teeth come in will help strengthen their teeth.
Fluoride toothpaste is a good choice for ensuring young children get the protection they need for their enamel, and many dentists provide additional fluoride treatment as a part of a child’s routine dental exams.
Talk to Your Dentist
If you are getting frequent cavities or have worse than average tooth sensitivity and suspect that you aren’t getting enough fluoride, it is important to talk to your dentist. They can recommend the right treatments or products – like mouthwash or special toothpaste – to make sure you’re getting the fluoride you need.
Even as an adult, it is important to make sure you consider fluoride as an additional way to keep your teeth strong and healthy.
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The Final Word
Fluoride is very important to tooth health. It is important for children and adults alike to get the fluoride they need. Consult a dentist if you feel that you are not getting enough fluoride, as it helps keep your teeth cavity-free and healthy.
