Since the 60s, fluoride has been crucial in dentistry. Fluoride treatments in Seneca can strengthen weakened teeth, reverse decay, and prevent cavities. Sadly, many patients steer away from this great mineral.
Fluoride dangers are few, and things like fluorosis are very hard to achieve—and always reversible. So how come so many people consider fluoride treatments bad? In this article, we’ll answer that question.
What Is Fluoride and What Are its Benefits?
Fluoride is very beneficial to your teeth’s health. This mineral can:
- Remineralize weakened tooth enamel
- Slow down the loss of minerals from tooth enamel
- Reverse early signs of tooth decay
- Prevent the growth of harmful oral bacteria
Sadly, fluoride has a bad reputation among the public, and the main reason why lies in the way fluoride’s beneficial properties were discovered.
The story of fluoride starts in 1945. To test its benefits, authorities adjusted its levels to safe amounts in the public water supplies of eight cities across Michigan, New York, Illinois, and Ontario, Canada.
Over the course of 13 to 15 years, cavities among children in those communities were reduced by 50% to 70%. However, the great results of these experiments were overshadowed by the way they were conducted, using the population as a guinea pig.
Still, water fluoridation proved to be one of the easiest ways to prevent decay in a community at large. By 1962, it had become widely used across the U.S. because of the benefits of fluoride.
Get Fluoride Treatments in Seneca!
Sadly, fluoride’s initial controversy has followed the treatment throughout its history. Still, the benefits of this mineral highly outdo any negativity that may be associated with it. Here at Hood Family Dentistry, we highly recommend patients to get fluoride treatments regularly, to ensure their oral health.
If you’re interested in learning more, give us a call!