What Does Fluoride Do?

What Does Fluoride Do?

When you browse the toothpaste aisle at the drugstore, you may notice that nearly every tube on display contains fluoride. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps to prevent cavities and strengthen teeth. Due to the cavity-fighting power of fluoride, this mineral is now a standard ingredient in today’s toothpastes, mouthwashes, and other oral hygiene products. But how does fluoride work to protect your teeth? Let’s find out:
Strengthens Growing Teeth
Fluoride is especially important for children during their developmental years. As a child grows, his or her teeth need to receive the vitamins and minerals that can help them to become strong and durable. Since fluoride can be absorbed systemically, it is naturally incorporated into a child’s teeth as he or she is growing. For this reason, fluoride has been included into municipal water supplies across the country.
Hardens Mature Tooth Enamel
The benefits of fluoride do not diminish as a person gets older. In fact, adult teeth also become stronger and more resilient with prolonged exposure to fluoridated water and fluoride toothpaste. The mineral content in fluoride naturally bonds to tooth enamel, helping it to create a strong shell that protects delicate tooth tissues from decay.  
Prevents the Onset of Cavities
In the fight against cavities, fluoride is at the front line of defense. Cavities form when bacteria cause tooth enamel to dissolve into a person’s saliva. This process is called demineralization. Fluoride is able to reverse the effects of demineralization by hardening tooth enamel and making it resistant to the damaging effects of plaque.
During your next appointment at John Carson DDS, our team will be happy to tell you more about the benefits of using fluoride toothpaste. When you visit our office for teeth whitening in Tucson, we will use advanced dentistry techniques to brighten and restore your smile. If you would like to book a dentistry appointment at our office, give us a call at (520) 514-7203 so that we can put you on our schedule.