The Low-Down on Fluoride from a Dentist in Rye

For the best general dental and orthodontic advice, turn to your trusted BlueWave dentist in Rye. Each member of the team is equipped with years of experience that allows him or her to tailor every patient’s experience to his or her specific needs. We know everyone’s different, and every set of teeth has a different story. At our facility you’ll find state-of-the-art technology, compassionate care, and a team ready to address each patient’s unique situation.

As orthodontists, we specialize in diagnosing and correcting any irregular positioning of your teeth. As dentists, we’re knowledgeable in general dental care and maintenance. Our team at Blue Wave Orthodontics wants to make sure our patients take proper care of their teeth not only by addressing any possible need for braces, but by making the best dental choices at home.

March 6th is National Dentist’s Day – what does that mean? The annual holiday is set aside to encourage patients to make their semi-annual checkup, remind us to thank our dentists for their hard work, and incite conversation on proper dental hygiene maintenance. It’s the time of the year to talk about all things dentistry!

When you look to your dentist in Rye, you’ll find nothing less than expert advice based on years of practice. Our team of orthodontists want you to have the best smile possible, so we’d like to shed some light on a particular conversation. In the world of dentistry, one of the most frequently addressed topics is fluoride. Is it good for you? Is it truly necessary? Many dental experts often debate these questions. So, what’s the low-down?

Fluoride is one of the most discussed subjects in the dental world because it’s added to many dental products and even numerous public water supplies. If you don’t know what it is, it’s an abundant natural mineral proven to curb many dental problems. It’s naturally and artificially produced and commonly added to toothpaste to help prevent tooth decay, but then where’s the issue?

Experts often go back and forth on just how important fluoride is when choosing toothpaste or other dental hygiene products. And there are a handful of studies that have found excessive fluoride exposure in children could be linked to cognitive deficits. Like any substance you put in your body, moderation is key.

When it comes to selecting the best dental products at home, you should not be overly concerned about being exposed to too much fluoride – even after learning it’s in our water supply! The level of fluoride in your water combined with the amount that is in your toothpaste and mouthwash will not put you at any risk. In fact, the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) has regulations for how much fluoride is allowed to be added to the water, so there’s no immediate threat of over-doing it.

But is it necessary? When your at-home dental products are fortified with fluoride, they can prevent tooth decay by 20-40 percent. Fluoride works by reducing the ability of bacteria in plaque to produce acid, which will eat away at the enamel. It’s particularly important for young children to have fluoride in their dental products because as their enamel develops, it will become more resistant to acidic attacks.

In other words, fluoride is helpful for everyone! But it’s most important for children. Helpful doesn’t mean necessary, but if you’d like to actively prevent cavities or other issues caused by early tooth decay, choosing a toothpaste with fluoride may be the best next step. Everyone can benefit from having a healthy supply of fluoride in their dental products.

For more dental guidance, ask your orthodontic dentist in Rye next time you come in for an appointment! Our entire team is prepared to answer your questions, regardless of if it’s about the next steps for your Invisalign treatment or what products you should be using at home to keep your smile looking beautiful! For more information on the types of dental services we offer, visit us online or call us at (914) 967 2277.