In healthy doses, fluoride can help your tooth enamel. Your enamel is the outermost layer of your teeth that protects your dentin and pulp, from decay and infection. When the enamel breaks down, fluoride can chemically repair and strengthen those weakened defenses.
In the 1960s, it was proposed to add fluoride to U.S. community water supplies to decrease tooth decay. This process is called “fluoridation”. Today, about two thirds of the U.S. population has access to fluoridated public water, according to the Centers for Disease Control. And 29 of 30 of the U.S. largest cities fluoridate their water supply.
In large doses, fluoride can cause a condition called fluorosis in children. In mild cases, white streaks may appear on the teeth; while in severe cases, there will be brown stains and broken enamel. Fluorosis is not a risk for adults with fully developed teeth. Fortunately for our children, the CDC regulates the allowed limit of fluoride in public water to 0.7 milligrams of fluoride to every 1 liter of community water. According to the CDC, even when factoring in other sources of fluoride, such as toothpaste, fluoride treatments or food sources, this level of exposure is helpful in both treating tooth decay and avoiding fluorosis.
If your teeth are prone to decay, come and see Dr. Ron Hernandez at Ron Hernandez, DDS in Fremont, California for a fluoride treatment. Call us at 510-248-4847.