The age old discussion on fluoride and how it is beneficial to our oral health. You may have heard it mentioned at your routine dental appointment, but it is not a medication, it is a mineral. It is found all around us, in sea water, soil and some foods but not in a high enough dosage to protect our teeth. That is why fluoride is one of the most common ingredients in toothpaste, mouthwash and even in some drinking water.
Fluoride works to protect the teeth by strengthening the enamel layer, reducing acid in the mouth and decreasing the growth of bacteria in the mouth.
It is important to incorporate fluoride into your day to day routine. You can do so by purchasing toothpaste with fluoride in it. It is also important to avoid ‘whitening’ or ‘smokers’ branded toothpaste as it is abrasive and can be harmful to enamel layer. To allow for fluoride toothpaste to work at its maximum capacity it is important to leave your toothpaste on your teeth for at least 20 minutes after brushing.
What is the recommended amount of fluoride? On average if you are regularly brushing with fluoride toothpaste and consuming tap water this should be enough for optimum oral health. Fluoride in drinking water in Queensland is set in the Water Fluoridation Regulation 2020 and ranges from 0.6 parts per million (ppm) to 0.8 ppm, depending on location. This is equivalent to less than one drop of fluoride diluted into 50 litres of water.
Fluorosis is a condition caused by consuming too much fluoride as an infant, causing brown or white spots on the teeth. It is important to use children’s toothpaste to avoid an overload of fluoride.
A higher concentrate of fluoride is admitted at your routine check-up and clean appointment. To book and appointment please contact our staff at Pimpama City Dental Centre.