QUESTIONS ABOUT FLUORIDE
(To advance directly to the questions that interest you, click on the list below)
1. What is fluoride?
2. Our city water has fluoride, isn't that enough?
3. Isn't adding fluoride to the drinking water dangerous?
4. Should I have fluoride applied at the dentist?
Q. What is fluoride?
A. Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in all water sources.
It is an ion that comes from the element fluorine and is always found
in combination with another element. Fluorine is the 13th most common
element on the planet. Fluoride has been proven to be effective in preventing
and even reversing the early signs of tooth decay.
Q. Our city water has fluoride, isn't that enough?
A. City water if it is fluoridated goes a long way toward ensuring
that you are getting enough into your system. Today there is a tendency
to filter the water we drink, or to drink bottled water and we may not
be getting the fluoride we need into our systems. Topical treatments through
the dentist or through the use of fluoride toothpastes helps. If necessary
fluoride supplements can be used.
Q. Isn't adding fluoride to the drinking water dangerous?
A. No. The addition of fluoride to water has led to the widespread
improvement in dental health. Studies comparing areas with and without
fluoridation showed significantly lower cavity rates in communities with
fluoridation.
Q. Should I have fluoride applied at the dentist?
A. That is your own choice. The advantage to that type of application
is that it goes directly into the teeth where fluoride is needed. It becomes
part of an over-all preventive approach and increases the potential of
you never losing your teeth.
If you have any other questions about fluoride or other dental questions,
please feel free to call our office. We will work to answer all of your
questions.
Call: 1 860 668-0241
