Facts About Fluoride from your Pella Dentist

Fluoride is well-known as a preventive too in dental hygiene. Infused into daily-use products like toothpaste and mouthwash, fluoride strengthens teeth and protects against cavities. Your Pella dentist, Dr. Jeffrey Allen, offers information about the compound that helps keep your teeth healthy: fluoride.

All about Fluoride

Fluoride is a naturally occurring element found in water and air. Water fluoridation has become one of the most common ways to keep fluoride in regular contact with our teeth. Community water fluoridation is practiced all over the world. In America, over half of our neighborhoods have access to fluoridated water sources.

Fluoride Fights Tooth Decay in Children

Baby teeth might fall out before childhood is over, but they shouldn’t be thought of as disposable. If a young child is not encouraged to brush and floss regularly, tooth decay is likely to set in. It might be years before the decaying baby tooth actually falls out on its own. In the meantime, the child with tooth decay in their primary teeth is likely to experience increasing discomfort. Fillings or other more invasive procedures like crowns, root canals, or extractions might end up being necessary. This can set a child up for a lifetime of unnecessary dental anxiety. Luckily, you can be avoid premature baby tooth loss with preventive dental care, good oral hygiene, and regular exposure to fluoride.

What about Fluorosis?

When it comes to fluoride, there can be too much of a good thing. To avoid a condition called fluorosis, children under age six should never be exposed to an over-abundance of fluoride. Fluorosis is a discoloration of the tooth enamel that will be seen as new teeth emerge. This develops when a little one swallows too much toothpaste, mouthwash, or other fluoridated products. Supervise young children when they brush their teeth, and keep toothpaste and mouthrinses out of reach to prevent fluorosis.

Visit Your Pella Dentist

Be sure to take care of your beautiful smile. Your Pella dentist can be reached at (641) 628-1121. We are happy to see patients, new and old, at our 50219 dentist office. We are located on the west side of the historic town square in Pella, IA. Please see the map for directions.