As children we were always told of the wonders of Fluoride in the water, but is it really that important in an age when we drink so much bottled water asks a City of London dentist. The simple answer is yes, and the main reason for that is that Fluoride is a natural element that is one of the most common found in all water supplies. Even bottled water has it, so it doesn’t matter if you only drink designer water, you`ll still get the natural protection from it. It works both in our blood system and on the surface of the enamel that our teeth are coated in. When we eat and drink we are putting bacterium in our mouths, this is fine most of the time as this is needed by our digestive system to help break down the fat and sugar that our body needs. In the blood, fluoride helps to keep bad bacteria under control and then take it out of our bodies in our urine. On the teeth it neutralises the acid that bacterium produces; it contains natural alkaline properties that stop acid from wearing away our enamel. If we fail to keep acid under control it will crack our teeth and allow bacteria into the inner chambers, this will decay the teeth and we will lose them before they have served their time. The infections also cause us a lot of pain, lost days off work and expense at the dentist, and all for the sake of a natural product that nature has cleverly put into water to protect our teeth. All in all Fluoride is an essential part of our Oral Hygiene program, it isn`t put into water as most people think. As mentioned it is a natural element prevalent in all water supplies. So, you can carry on using Fluoride water without worrying about the urban myths that the government puts it in against our wishes.

There is a lot of information around that gives conflicting opinions about what is best for your teeth. This can be very confusing and leave you not sure which advice is the most appropriate or useful for you. One example of such a confusing issue is whether or not fluoride in toothpaste is good for you. Some reports say that fluoride hardens teeth and therefore offers more protection but conflicting reports say that it may be damaging to the teeth as well as the rest of the body. It is also necessary to remember that most water supplies already contain fluoride so using toothpaste that also contains fluoride may be a further cause for concern.

There is little doubt that fluoride strengthens teeth, reinforcing them against decay and plaque. This is why for many years it has been added to water supplies. As a result, the numbers of people suffering dental decay has fallen. However, fluoride can pose a risk for children’s teeth. Dentists advise against giving children any kind of fluoride dental health products, such as toothpaste, as excessive fluoride may cause discolouration to occur later in life.

For most adults it is important to use small amounts of fluoride in dental health products. Once the teeth have fully developed they are less likely to suffer from flourosis but are still constantly under threat from cavities. The one sure-fire way to know if you are getting too much or too little fluoride is to ask your local dentist. Dentists in Central London will know the fluoride levels of the local water supply and can also examine your and your children’s teeth to see how they are reacting. Make an appointment today to be sure that you are getting the right information from an expert.

It’s not legal for dental hygienist to do the complete job of a dentist. The scope of job they are entitled to do is limited to a small percent of dental tasks decided by a set curriculum and under the supervision of a dentist. But London is facing a sharp scarcity of dentists! It’s really difficult for patients to find a good dentist who has the time and inclination to take up new NHS patients. But what if you could get the same care for a fraction of the price without a wait for several days? Sounds attractive, right! If you don’t mind being treated by dental hygienists then you can have all the benefits I’ve just mentioned! So what are the benefits of having a dental hygienist treat you and what can go wrong?
With health costs rising and, 40 to 50 per cent of people can’t afford dental care. Out of the population of the elderly, only about 1% has dental insurance and even a simple dental screening can cost about £60 which is just not affordable for the elderly as well patients who are on a fixed budget. For such patients, a dental hygienist who offers home dental care for a fraction of the cost is really a dream come true. In America, a bill has already been passed in Maryland, which will allow dental hygienists to do dental cleanings, use sealants as well as apply fluoride treatments without being supervised by a dentist. And London is not far behind! The degree course has been set up in UK at the University of Kent’s Medway called as the BSc in Primary Dental to provide new skills to dental hygienists to work on their own.