What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? You brush your teeth. And then right before you go to bed at night, you brush them again. Taking care of your teeth is an important daily routine for your health. To ensure that you are doing all the right things for your teeth, you should visit your dentist in Farmington, Utah, on a regular basis (in addition to brushing and flossing daily).
When you visit your dentist, you may wonder what that strange grainy substance is that they put on your teeth; this substance is called fluoride. The fluoride that your dentist gives you is one of the most effective ways to prevent cavities. Fluoride can also be found in your local water supply and the toothpaste you use to brush your teeth. Fluoride plays an important role in dental health. In order to avoid those dreaded words from the dentist (“We have found a cavity”), you must use fluoride.
Depending on where you live, there may be a decent amount of fluoride in your water supply. You should research the amount of fluoride in your water system so that you know if you need to use extra fluoride. If you do decide to supplement your fluoride use, be careful: high levels of fluoride can be more damaging than you may think. But the right amount of fluoride improves your dental healthy by reducing the chance of plaque build-up and making your teeth stronger.
Plaque is the sticky build-up of bacteria and food particles that your teeth acquire throughout the day. If not treated properly plaque will eventually break down the enamel on your teeth and lead to tooth decay (or cavities). Cavities are stressful, painful, and expensive. Once you have developed a cavity, fluoride cannot reverse the effects, but it can help reduce the amount of tooth decay and prevent other cavities from forming around the affected area.
If fluoride is absorbed into the body, even by simply drinking water with fluoride in it, it is automatically processed with tooth development. When fluoride is directly applied to your teeth—while visiting your dentist or by brushing your teeth regularly—it will protect your teeth on contact. If you have any questions about fluoride just ask when you visit your dentist in Farmington, Utah, and he or she will be happy to explain how fluoride works.