Fluorides & Dentistry

Fluorides & Dentistry

Dental decay is a common disease in India. One way to help prevent this disease from occurring is through the use of fluoride.
Fluoride helps harden the tooth enamel and make it more resistant to tooth decay. A small cavity can be stopped and even reversed by the remineralization process enhanced by fluoride.
Fluoride can be delivered to the teeth in 2 ways; topically (direct contact on the teeth) and systemically (enters the blood stream).

SYSTEMIC FLUORIDES

Systemic fluorides are delivered to the tooth surface via the bloodstream. Systemic fluorides can be derived from a food source, water source, or dietary supplements (tablet, lozenge, and drops). Fluoridated water is an effective way to reduce the incidence of dental decay. It has been shown that fluoridated water and dietary supplements can reduce up to 60 % of tooth decay. Some water supplies already naturally contain fluoride, for others, fluoride is intentionally added to the water supply. Some communities have no fluoride in their water. Other communities are unaware of this option.
Children from birth to 14 years of age will benefit the most from systemic fluorides. This is because when fluoride is ingested, it circulates through the bloodstream and into developing teeth. The fluoride is then built into the enamel structure of the developing tooth, making the tooth more resistant to acids.

TOPICAL FLUORIDES

TOOTHPASTE - used daily by almost everyone

PROFESSIONAL APPLICATION - this is a gel that is applied for 1 to 4 minutes, usually in a tray at the end of a dental appointment. Not everyone is given a professional fluoride application; it depends on your oral health needs.

FLUORIDATED HOME MOUTHRINSES - can be purchased over-the-counter for children over 6 years of age, and adults who are susceptible to cavities.

HOME CARE FLUORIDE GELS - applied by trays or by brush, these gels are for those who are highly susceptible to cavities. These people would include;
-Adults with a high incidence of root cavities
-those who experience an extremely dry mouth
-people who wear braces or orthodontic appliances
-those who have rampant or excessive cavities