Understanding How Fluoride Helps You Maintain a Healthy Smile

Last updated 3 months ago

Dental care techniques have come a long way in recent years. However, one of the best ways to keep your teeth healthy is practicing good oral hygiene techniques at home. Fluoride is still one of the best ways to prevent dental decay and therefore the need for fillings and other dental repairs. Fluoride works in three ways to help you maintain a healthy smile:

Enhances Re-Mineralization of Teeth
Fluoride will adsorb onto the surface of the tooth in any area where demineralization has occurred. Demineralization is the weakening of the tooth, often caused by ingestion of sugars. Using fluoride attracts other minerals, like calcium, to demineralized areas of the tooth’s surface. These minerals help to speed up the re-mineralization process, which keeps teeth healthy and strong.

Aids in Decay Resistance
Areas that are re-mineralized with the use of fluoride are actually stronger than the tooth’s original surface. As a result, the tooth’s surface becomes more resistant to decay than it was before demineralization occurred. Generally, teeth are composed of hydroxyapatite and carbonated hydroxyapatite. However, re-mineralization from fluoride creates fluorapatite, a harder surface that is more resistant to demineralization.

Reduces Oral Bacteria’s Ability to Make Acids
Fluoride inhibits the ability of oral bacteria to create acids that damage tooth enamel. When oral bacteria’s ability to metabolize sugars is disrupted by fluoride, the demineralization process is halted.

At Belmont Dental Group, serving Belmont and Cambridge, our trusted dentists are focused solely on your dental health. From general dentistry care to periodontal disease treatment, we pride ourselves on providing personalized, gentle care for your dental needs. Call us today at (617) 209-4058 to schedule your next dental appointment.