DO YOU KNOW ABOUT NATURE'S CAVITY FIGHTER ???

   FLUORIDE is an important component in dental health. Nick named as "NATURE's CAVITY FIGHTER ".

   

                                              

                            

           

WHAT IS FLUORIDE ?

                       

                                        

•      Fluoride is derived from fluorine { BENEFICIAL MINERAL }, a natural element. 

•  It is found in soil ,water and many types of food. Fluoride is also produced artificially for use in drinking water ,toothpaste and mouthwashes.

•  It is the only mineral scientifically and clinically proven to prevent cavities and is recognized as beneficial.

 WHY FLUORIDE IS IMPORTANT ??

•   The bacteria that live in our mouth create acids which attack our enamel leading to cavities. Fluoride is a mineral that makes the enamel surface more resistant to these acids and can actually help our enamel repair itself { REMINERALIZATION }. It helps prevents cavities and makes teeth stronger and those are  benefits that will last your child a lifetime.

•  It helps both in the growth of baby teeth in young children and in strengthening of adult teeth.

•  It works by holding onto calcium and phosphate in the mouth which increases remineralization or reinforcement of weak enamel. It also replaces the normal, weaker enamel structure {hydroxyapatite } with a more decay - resistant version {fluorapatite }. 

           PREVENTION IS ALWAYS THE BEST OPTION

                                            

                                              

Fluoride protects our teeth in 2 ways :

                  

• TOPICAL FLUORIDE : Fluoride in our toothpaste, gels and rinses. they are placed directly onto the teeth.

• SYSTEMIC FLUORIDE : Gets ingested to the body through fluoride containing water, fluoride containing food or prescription supplements from dentists.      

                                    

     

 FACTS AND MYTHS :

    Despite the proven benefits of fluoride ,there still has been much talk around it. while some are facts ,others are mythical.

 FACTS ABOUT FLUORIDE :

       

•  Fluoride comes from fluorine

• Fluoridation is the most cost - effective tooth decay prevention measure.

• Extremely high fluoride concentration can result in fluorosis.

• Fluoride protects teeth against demineralization and remineralization.

• Fluoride has been recognized as an important nutrient for healthy teeth.

• Topical fluoride applications at the dentist office strongly benefits adults, especially true for those adults who are more prone to cavities.

               

                                              

MYTHS ABOUT FLUORIDE :

  1. Fluoride is a medication 

           It is not a medication. It is a mineral that when used in the right amount, strengthens teeth.

2.  Water fluoridation is harmful to babies 

           WHO has endorsed water fluoridation poses no risk to children. However, kids who swallow toothpastes are at a higher risk of contracting mild fluorosis. To avoid such thing, it is essential to supervise young children as they brush their teeth.

3.  Fluoride causes Arthritis and cancer

           No proven correlation between fluoride and arthritis ,cancer.

4.  We get enough fluoride from toothpaste .we don't need it in our drinking water.

          Fluoride toothpaste alone isn't enough. Although people all across the country use fluoride toothpaste, the tooth decay rate in children and teenagers without access to fluoridated water is 45 % higher than those with access.

5. Fluoride is unnatural

         It is found in water and food sources. Fluoridation increases the levels found in water to an amount that is effective in decreasing tooth decay.

6. Drinking fluoridated water will give you fluorosis

        Fluorosis can occur only when you ingest very high levels of fluoride.

                                            

It is important to understand the difference between facts and myths. If you are unsure about any dental information you come across, be sure to clarify with your dentist.

 FEAR OF TOXICITY :

•    The reality is that while fluoride at low levels is proven to promote healthy teeth, it is also true that high concentrations of fluoride can be dangerous.

•   Too much fluoride can cause DENTAL FLUOROSIS ( streaks or spots on teeth that are purely cosmetic ) or SKELETAL FLUOROSIS ( a very rare bone disease ).

              

DENTAL FLUOROSIS

•   The amount of fluoride one would have to consume for either of these outcomes is extreme, such as eating entire tubes of paste or drinking multiple gallons of water daily.

•    When it comes to the fluoride added to water and how much  is recommended for brushing teeth or used in clinical treatments, it's all  carefully measured to specific levels that prevent tooth decay( all of which are well below risk level ).

WHAT IS DENTAL FLUOROSIS ??

•     It is the only issue related to fluoride. It is a condition where discolored or brown spots appear on the enamel of the teeth and it is caused by too much fluoride at young age.

•  For cases of extreme discoloration of front teeth, dentist may be able to help with whitening or other cosmetic treatments.

                                             

FLUORIDE AND CHILDREN :

 

          Fluoride is more beneficial for children. A child's teeth are still developing an tend to be softer or less mineralized than adult teeth.

     

                                       

         Fluoride is the substance that helps teeth become hard and more resistant to decay, but because their enamel is still developing, they are more susceptible to dental fluorosis.

        It is important to remember that fluorosis occurs only if fluoride is used above recommendation levels.

        These include monitoring brushing, using the recommended amount of toothpaste and assuring the water used in the home is at the optimal fluoride level, especially for homes that utilize well water rather than municipal water supplies.

                                           

TOOTH DECAY AND FLUORIDES :

           Tooth decay is perhaps the biggest danger your child's teeth can face. It is important to reduce the risk of tooth decay through daily brushing. Your child may also benefit from another measure that enhances those other hygiene efforts - topical fluoride applied directly to tooth surface.

 

                                     

        Even if your child takes in fluoride through one or more sources, there may still be a benefit to a topical application., because fluoridated water is ingested first before travelling through the bloodstream to the teeth, directly applied fluoride can strengthen them faster.

KEEP YOUR CHILD'S FLUORIDE INTAKE AT A SAFE BUT EFFECTIVE LEVEL :

        It is important to keep fluoride levels within safe bounds, especially under the age of 8.

     Common sources for intake of fluorides:

• Toothpaste : Apply only a smear of toothpaste to the brush for infants. When they get a little older you can increase that to pea sized amount. You should also train your child not to swallow toothpaste. Fluoride should not be used on children younger than 6 months at age.

• Drinking water : Most water systems add tiny amounts of fluoride to drinking water. If it's more than government's recommendation of  0.70 parts of fluoride per million parts of water.

                                 

                                              

DELIVERING FLUORIDE TO THE TEETH IN DENTAL OFFICE :

         

       We can administer the most beneficial topical fluoride for child. we can paint it right onto your child's freshly cleaned teeth then let it sit for a few minutes for maximum effectiveness.

                 

                

 A child's daily consumption of fluoride should optimally kept at around 0.05 to 0.07 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, or an amount equal to one-tenth of a grain of salt per two pounds of weight.

   Drinking water and toothpaste aren't the only sources of fluoride your child may encounter. Even if you have a non - fluoridated water supply, you should still keep a close watch on the following items that could contain fluoride.

•                         Infant formula
•                         Beverages (packaged sodas. soft drinks etc..)
•                         Processed foods like cereals, soups etc.. 

                                               

FLUORIDATED WATER

KEEP YOUR BABY'S FLUORIDE INTAKE WITHIN MODERATE LIMITS 

    It is best to keep fluoride consumption to a healthy minimum for children.

                                              

    Do feel free to discuss your concerns with us during your child's regular check up. we will help you adjust their diet, water intake and hygiene habits to be sure they are receiving the right amount they need for developing strong teeth.

To know more about " APPROPRIATE FLUORIDE LEVELS FOR CHILDREN , and HOW IT STRENGTHENS TEETH "  CONTACT US @ 

GUMS AND TEETH LASER AND DENTAL IMPLANT CENTER @

           ADDRESS : PERUMBAKKAM MAIN ROAD,

                                   MEDAVAKKAM,

                                   CHENNAI -100.

       LANDMARK : BEHIND MSM FOOD COURT,

                                    PERUMBAKKAM.

        MAIL ID        : care@gumsandteeth.in

Also check us out at www.gumsandteeth.in