How Does Fluoride Work?

You may be wondering what you can do to keep your teeth beautiful and healthy so they will last you throughout your entire life.  This is a great thing to learn about since your permanent teeth, once they grow in, are the final teeth you will get to work for you and help you eat and look nice.  There are many things you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy.  Visiting a dentist Port Huron, MI every 6 months for a thorough checkup and a good teeth cleaning by a trained dental hygienist is one of the steps you can take.  You may not realize that keeping your teeth and gums healthy can affect the overall health of your body.  You can also brush your teeth good every morning and night to keep them healthy.  You should use a soft toothbrush and not brush too hard, but brush thoroughly.  You also need to floss at least once a day after brushing to remove any bacteria or other particles that may be stuck between your teeth that the toothbrush can’t get to.  There is a substance called fluoride that can help protect your teeth.  There is fluoride in your toothpaste and often in your city water also.  Let’s find out how fluoride works and why it is important. 

Fluoride is found in the earth’s crust.  It is a natural element that is also in air and water.  Fluoride is considered to be a nutrient.  Our bodies need fluoride to grow and work properly and be their best.  Many years ago, it was discovered by scientists that kids who had more fluoride in their diets had less cavities.  This usually came in their drinking water.  Many cities started adding fluoride in to their water to help in this area about 60 years ago, so it has been around a long time. 

When you visit your dentist Port Huron, MI for your routine cleaning, the dentist should apply fluoride to your teeth also.  The way fluoride works is that when your teeth are forming the fluoride mixes with the enamel on your teeth.  Enamel is the tough outer coating on your teeth.  This helps prevent your teeth from decaying and thus prevents cavities.  Fluoride also helps protect your teeth even after they are grown.  It mixes with your saliva to protect the tooth enamel from plaque and sugars. 

There are many benefits of having fluoride in your diet, in your water, and having it applied to your teeth at your dentist Port Huron, MI.