Benefits of Fluoride Rinse and Fluoridated Water

Benefits of Fluoride Rinse and Fluoridated Water

Fluoride has been proven to prevent tooth decay, but is your family getting enough fluoride to help keep your teeth healthy and cavity free? If you drink bottled water or live in a rural area, the answer is probably “no.” You may want to make it a habit to use ACT or another fluoride rinse.

Where does fluoride come from?

It is a mineral, just like calcium, that occurs naturally in water and food. About 70% of city water supplies in the United States have fluoride added, because of oral health and other benefits. This was initiated to ensure that children get plenty of fluoride to help with remineralization, replacing essential minerals in of teeth as they are forming.

However, many people no longer drink tap water, or they use water filters that filter much of the fluoride out of the water supply. This can have a negative effect on your family’s oral health.

Who Should Use Fluoride?

The simple answer is that everybody should get fluoride every day, but people of different ages need it for different reasons. Each day, your teeth will demineralize from eating (or drinking) acidic or sugary foods. Fluoride can help remineralize the enamel, strengthen teeth and help you avoid cavities.

Children, 6 months to 16 years – Teeth are still forming and fluoride can help form a better enamel to protect them.

Older children and adults – Helps remineralize beginning stages of cavities and keep teeth strong and healthy. If there is a tiny cavity, sometimes the damage can be reversed with use of ACT or another fluoride rinse.

So, in short, any person who has teeth and can use fluoride rinse without swallowing can benefit from swishing with it.

The Difference Between Fluoride Rinse and Breath Freshener

A regular mouthwash freshens breath, but does not clean your teeth, and it only contains fluoride if the label says it does. Fluoride rinse naturally kills germs and protects your teeth from acidic foods by killing the bacteria in plaque. Fluoride rinse is beneficial to your oral health, but it is no substitute for brushing and flossing.

If you are looking for a dentist in Cedar Rapids who can provide preventive dental services for your entire family, contact Family SmileCare Center today.

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