Ensuring you receive enough fluoride is an important step in achieving optimal oral health. Do you have questions about fluoride and tooth decay? Watch this video by Calgary dentist Dr. Arash Ravanbakhsh, as he explains the correlation between fluoride and tooth decay.
A lot of times, patients ask me how fluoride and tooth decay relate to each other, and that’s a very interesting question. What actually happens is that in our mouths we have saliva, and in that saliva, there’s a wide range of minerals, including calcium and phosphate. When we eat food, especially foods that are high in carbohydrates, it causes the bacteria in our mouths to break down that tooth, creating acids.
These acids can cause low porosity in the tooth by actually washing away some of that calcium and phosphate, making the teeth more susceptible to damage or decay. What fluoride does is creates a bond and it actually makes the tooth a lot stronger. It creates something called fluorapatite, and it’s one of the strongest substances that can be attached to a tooth, and it helps prevent tooth decay.
At Inglewood Family Dental, our goal is always to offer a high standard of care for every patient who walks into our dental clinic. We are in tune with the needs of our patients, offering treatment options that are designed to best meet the needs of your oral health—we help our patients achieve optimum dental wellness.
If you or a loved one is experiencing tooth decay and have questions about how fluoride can help, contact Inglewood Family Dental to arrange your consultation with our Calgary dentist. We look forward to putting a smile on your face!