These days, the truth is not always easy to find. Searching online for the facts about weight loss or keeping your body healthy can reveal a lot of false claims mixed in with real data. Sometimes, you have to rely on experts to separate the two.

Unfortunately, a prime example of that is fluoride. Although it’s been used for decades to improve your dental health, some people falsely state it’s some harmful, man-made chemical. As this article shows, not taking fluoride can severely increase your risk of cavities.

Dr. Drake both have the education and training needed to know why fluoride is good for your dental health. Call Aberdeen Smiles today at 605-277-9049 to schedule your next appointment. In the meantime, here is why fluoride helps you.

Gain The Fluoride Benefits

Why do some people claim fluoride is bad for you? Often, it breaks down to three reasons:

  1. They do not understand the science behind it.
  2. They accept the wrong sources of information.
  3. They have a book or “miracle cure” to sell you.

For example, some say fluoride is a man-made chemical. Who wants that in their water? But here’s the truth: Fluoride is a natural mineral found in some drinking water normally. That’s how we first learned of fluoride’s benefits. This mineral seeps into wells, and people who drank this naturally fluoridated but water had much healthier teeth than those that didn’t.

But is it safe for your overall wellness? Yes! While too much can lead to minor health problems, the same is true for salt, vitamin D, and even water. Scientists have repeatedly studied how much you get from tap water, toothpaste, and fluoride treatments, and the results are clear: The amount you get each year is perfectly safe.

There are also different versions of this mineral. Some versions of fluoride are unhealthy, while others are fine. It’s much like chlorine. Some kinds (used in pools) are unhealthy, but there’s another version in your salt shaker at home. It’s sodium chloride. Again, too much can be a problem, but the version of fluoride you get will not harm you.

How It Strengthens Teeth

But what does fluoride do for your smile? It strengthens your teeth in two ways.

  1. It repairs microscopic damage to the enamel: Not all damage is visible. Sometimes, you have some weak spots in your enamel so small that you cannot see them. Fluoride is a mineral, so it actually adds mineral strength to damaged areas.
  2. It slows down erosion caused by harmful bacteria: Cavities are holes in your enamel caused by bacteria that secrete an acid. Fluoride is good at slowing down such erosion, giving you time to get a checkup and catch the cavity while it’s smaller and easier to correct.

Call our Aberdeen, SD dentist’s office today at 605-277-9049 or use our convenient online form to schedule your next appointment. Fluoride is good for your dental health and perfectly safe when used normally, but it won’t replace the need for regular checkups and cleanings. Our dentists can even offer special fluoride treatments that can help restore your enamel.