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The best treatment available to prevent cavities is fluoride. Fluoride is found naturally in almost all water and foods to some degree. Fluoride has been studied many times over the past half-century, and most professional groups in health and dentistry recognize its benefits.
Fluoride is effective in one of two ways:
When children have fluoride applied directly to teeth that have just popped through the gums, the material soaks into the surface enamel and creates a barrier. Adults with full sets of teeth can get the same effect by using any number of different products that contain fluoride including toothpaste and mouthwash. If fluoride is applied early in a child's development, dentists recommend that it be reapplied during every subsequent checkup.
The other delivery system for fluoride is "systemic." Systemic fluoride enters the body through the foods we eat and the water we drink. This type of treatment protects not only the exposed surface of the tooth, but the surfaces hidden below the gum line as well. Systemic fluoride can also be prescribed by a dentist in liquid or gel form. Babies need the liquid drops, while older children can take fluoride tablets. During the child's development, monitoring and controlling the amount of fluoride he takes in is critical. Overexposure to fluoride during the developmental years can leave teeth with white spots, or "fluorosis" in dental circles.
Most people generally get enough fluoride in their systems from eating and drinking water, but sometimes that may not be enough to stop teeth from decaying. If your dentist notices any of the following conditions with your teeth or after talking with you, he may suggest you supplement with fluoride treatments:
- Cracks and craters on the tooth's surface
- Exposed roots
- Poor personal oral hygiene
- Eating lots of carbs and sugar
- Beginning signs of tooth decay
- Insufficient flow of saliva caused by an illness or medication
Fluoride is not a silver bullet. It can only be effective when combined with proper oral hygiene and food consumption. Be sure to brush your teeth and floss twice a day as a minimum, eat good, healthy meals with balanced nutrients, stay away from sugar and foods high in carbohydrates, and schedule regular dental exams.
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