London dentists say that “dental caries can be prevented by good oral hygiene and regular professional care, and can be effectively treated by adequate brushing and flossing of the teeth and by the use of fluoride based oral care products.” Mouth rinses, gels, and toothpastes, when used in conjunction with toothbrushing and flossing, are probably adequate to deliver the needed preventive measures. If the carious lesion reaches the underlying dentin layer of the tooth the dentist in London will treat it. The dentist will place a filling (amalgam or composite) to restore proper functioning of the tooth.
The role of fluoride in caries prevention has been extensively documented. The decrease in dental caries that occurs after adding fluoride to the water supply is by and large accredited to the fluoride molecule being substituted for hydroxyl molecules in the tooth enamel, forming fluorapatite in the place of hydroxyapatite. Fluorapatite is less acid soluble than hydroxyapatite, causing enamel to demineralise more slowly when under attack by plaque. Fluoride containing enamel also remineralises more quickly between the times it is being bombarded with sugar. This does not explain all of the mechanisms of action of fluoride.
More recently the spotlight has shifted to deleterious effect on fluoride on tooth development. The prevalence of fluorosis in infants and young children is increasing. The increase in fluorosis among infants and children in both fluoridated and non-fluoridate communities has led to the following recommendations: 1) the use of low-fluoride water in infant formulas; 2) adult supervision of children during brushing; and 3) rigid fluoride application standards when administering fluoride supplements to children. Nonetheless, community water supply fluoridation is the most effective way to prevent dental caries.
When neutral 1.0% sodium fluoride was used on a daily basis by high risk adults (i.e., those with mouth dryness after jaw carcinoma radiation), the finding was minimal to zero dental caries. Children, aged five to six years were treated with 1.2% F- fluoride gel versus a placebo gel twice daily, and the children receiving fluoride showed approximately 40% caries reduction when compared to the placebo group after a 2 year period; S mutans (the bacteria that causes decay) were also lower. Thorough cleaning with the fluoride paste significantly reduced the streptococci (sanguis, mitis, and mutans), preventing colonization of these bacteria. Higher fluoride paste doses (i.e., 5%) instantly stop these bacteria. Also interesting, is that fluoride levels of 1-5 ppm stopped oral streptococci at low pH levels. These doses are commonly found in people using fluoridated oral care products and/or fluoridated water. For more in depth prevention measures, visit your London dentist!

We all know that Fluoride is an essential mineral for dental health. However, intake of this trace mineral in higher doses could affect our teeth adversely. The toxic condition developed due to its increased intake is referred to as fluorosis, which could be due to large amounts of fluorine in your drinking water or in your diet. Generally, it affects your permanent teeth. In London, fluorosis is comparatively a rare condition than caries teeth because most of the citizens use non-fluoridated drinking water, and hence it is very unlikely that we would get exposure to high levels of fluorides. Fluorides help to prevent dental decay and its deficiency causes teeth to be prone to early development of caries. Therefore, in London, it has been added to toothpastes and mouth washes for years with good control of dental caries. Here only a small percentage of  population get fluoridated water supply and natural fluoride in water is seen only in very few places. Hence, fluoridation of public water supply would be the easiest method for the benefit of those deprived of this mineral naturally. The recommended standard limit of fluoride in water is 1ppm (parts per million) and above which, it is not good for general health. However, higher ppms of fluoride could be seen naturally at some shallow water bodies in rural areas where people are at risk of developing fluorosis or toxicity. Fluorosis generally affects children below the age of 8, before the development of permanent teeth. If children are exposed to high levels of fluoride during the formative years of their teeth, they are at high risk of dental and skeletal fluorosis. Excessive fluoride causes white spots or flecks or yellowing of teeth, or pitting and mottling of the enamel, depending on the degree of exposure. Only an expert can detect mild fluorosis, as it shows only minimal changes such as a fleck of white or pearly appearance to the teeth. As caries itself is an unsightly and painful condition, mild fluorosis from fluoride intake can be considered a better condition with added benefit of protection from caries. Actually, mildly fluorotic teeth have a pearly glow than normal teeth and most people like to have mild fluorosis in teeth, as it is indistinguishable and appear more beautiful. Depending on the degree of fluorosis, teeth would appear yellowish to brownish with pitting or mottling making it cosmetically unacceptable. Sometimes, even if the water supply is not fluoridated, children can be found having fluorosis. In such conditions, on evaluation, the causes were found to be fluoride supplements or children swallowing fluoride toothpastes while brushing. Hence, it should be mandatory to get the advice of a dentist about the need for fluoride supplements and proper supervision of child’s tooth brushing. Parents should be teach them how to brush with minimum toothpaste and to spit out after brushing. Dental fluorosis can be treated with bleaching, whitening, microabrasion, or with veneers, depending on the degree of disclouration or damage.