The Good And The Bad Of Fluoride Therapy

Fluoride is one of the many elements used today as a means to avoid or to prevent tooth decay (dental caries) which results in cavities. Most commonly, fluoride is applied topically to the teeth using gels, varnishes, toothpaste/dentifrices or mouth rinse. Systemic delivery involves fluoride supplementation using water, salt, tablets or drops which are swallowed. Tablets or drops are rarely used where public water supplies are fluoridated. According to the dentist beverly hills, the procedure in which dentists practices the delivery of fluoride directly to the patient's teeth is called fluoride therapy.

The good about fluoride therapy

Fluoride therapy is commonly practiced and generally agreed upon by dentists as useful. This is mainly because fluoride combats the formation of tooth decay. According to dentist beverly hills, the process in which fluoride prevents the build-up of tooth decay typically involves three ways:

* First, fluoride promotes the remineralization of teeth, by enhancing the tooth remineralization process. This mechanism typically involves the fluoride being absorbed into the surface of a tooth where demineralization has occurred. The presence of this fluoride will then attract other minerals (such as calcium), thus resulting in the formation of new tooth mineral.

* Second, fluoride can re-enforce a tooth, making it more resistant to the formation of tooth decay. This is usually because the new tooth mineral that is created by the remineralization process in the presence of fluoride is actually a "harder" mineral compound compared to those found when the tooth was initially formed. Teeth are generally composed of hydroxyapatite and carbonated hydroxyapatite. Fluorapatite is created during the remineralization process when fluoride is present and is more resistant to dissolution by acids.
* Thirdly, fluoride is known to inhibit the oral bacteria's ability to create acids. This is because fluoride typically decreases the rate at which the bacteria that live in dental plaque can produce acid by disrupting the bacteria and its ability to metabolize sugars. The less sugar the bacteria can consume, the less acidic waste which will be produced and participate in the demineralization process.

Health issues

According several studies made by professionals, including the dentist beverly hills, there are several risks involved if unusually high amounts of fluoride are consumed. Acute overdose can cause fluoride poisoning and death. Chronic intake and topical exposure may cause dental fluorosis, and excess systematic exposure can lead to systemic effects such as skeletal fluorosis. Young children are at risk for receiving excess fluoride, and the ADA has recently issued an interim guidance on their fluoride consumption.

Anne Fields, currently working as an assistant professor, has been presently active in the dental organizations over the United States. She has attained credibility and high respect for her vast experience as being one of the top 25 speakers these days. She also writes articles about proper dental hygene in her free time.