Almost all of us have heard of the benefits of fluoride based oral healthcare products. Not only does fluoride help in preventing tooth decay by slowing down the erosion of the enamel but also increases the rate of remineralisation. The remineralisation process forms new enamel crystals that are larger, harder and can resist acid by a much more significant extent.
Although the tooth enamel is hard, it is porous. Acids that are produced by the plaque build up on the surface of the teeth seep through these pores of the enamel and cause its internal structure to break down. Now, this process is the exact opposite of remineralisation and is called demineralisation. This causes weak spots in the teeth which are most likely to transform into cavities if left untreated.
Understanding the significance of fluoride is very important in becoming more aware of how plaque can be identified and cavities can be prevented.
Benefits of fluoride for the teeth – Now, there are some sources of fluoride which you can opt for in order to secure the good health of your teeth. These range from fluoridated water for drinking to fluoride toothpaste and mouthwashes.
Fluoride toothpaste –Fluoride
- Always supervise your child when he or she is brushing, if he or she is under 8 years of age. This is because, at this age children often use improper brushing techniques or lazily get it over with, missing out on the important areas. Also, they are most likely to swallow the toothpaste.
- Children who are of 6 years of age or below should only use a pea sized amount of toothpaste if it contains fluoride. Using too much of it might cause discoloration of the teeth.
Fluoride Rinses
Using a fluoride mouthwash to rinse is a great way of making sure that your family has a good oral health and also to make sure that cavities do not attack any of your precious ones.
Fluoridated water
If you want the most cost-effective and easy solution to protect your family members from tooth decay, fluoridated water is the way to go. Also, it is very important to contact your dentist to know the exact amount of fluoride to be added to your drinking water. This will help in keeping the oral health of your family members in wonderful condition as well as preventing you from overdoing it.