12 Apr

Central London dentist clarifies benefits of fluoride

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.