Why We Use Fluoride in Our Long Beach Dentist Office

If you want strong and healthy teeth, visit our Long Beach dentist office.  We have a variety of ways to improve your oral health including cleaning your teeth on a regular basis and using fluoride to strengthen them.  We especially recommend fluoride treatments for children and teens, preferring to treat their teeth at least once per year.  While you may be familiar with the term fluoride, we have found that most of our patients don't understand why we use it or how it can help them.  Here are answers to some of the questions patients commonly ask, so that you can understand the benefit.

Who recommends using fluoride?

In our dental office, we recommend fluoride treatments to help strengthen the teeth. We are basing this recommendation on scientific research along with recommendations by the American Dental Association.

Is fluoride safe?

Yes, fluoride is safe for use on your teeth and to drink.  There are limits to how much fluoride you should consume and the amount that is put in public water is regulated by the EPA.  In our Long Beach dentist office, we give fluoride treatments on a regular basis and have not seen any negative side effects.

Where can I find fluoride?

Fluorine occurs naturally, and you can find it in the dirt you walk on, the air you breathe, and the food that you eat.  It is all around you but in small quantities.  In order to get enough to benefit your health, you should drink tap water with fluoride, have a fluoride treatment in our dental office, or brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste.

Why is fluoride important?

The CDC reports that tooth decay is the most common infectious disease in children, causing them to have unnecessary toothaches and miss days from school.  Fluoride decreases the risk of getting cavities by thirty percent, making it a significant treatment to include in our preventative care plan.

How can I get fluoride?

If you have public water, there is a good chance that you are drinking it.  Over 10,000 U.S. communities have fluoridated water and by drinking it you will decrease your cavity risk.  Simultaneously, we can place a fluoride varnish on you or your child's teeth.  This varnish should remain in place for at least four minutes so that the fluoride can be absorbed by the enamel.  Once it is, your teeth will instantly be stronger and less susceptible to tooth decay.  In between dental visits, you can brush with a fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen your teeth and reduce their sensitivity.  There are also special foods and drinks that you can buy with fluoride in them, but there isn't any evidence that they are nearly as effective as drinking it or visiting the dentist.

In our Long Beach dentist office, we can help your teeth to remain strong and healthy and will discuss fluoride treatments in greater detail during your dental exam. In essence, fluoride works because it remineralizes and strengthens your teeth, making them strong enough to fight off tooth decay.