Submitted by Dr. Matt Mortenson
As a dentist I would rather prevent cavities than try to fix them, especially on kids. Using fluoride, along with proper brushing and flossing, is the best way to prevent cavities. I like to encourage my patients to invest in fluoride treatments as a way to prevent future problems. Here in Louisville we have fluoridated tap water, so strengthening our teeth can be as easy as just drinking water. After having a dental cleaning a topical fluoride varnish can easily be applied to the teeth to give even better cavity protection.
• Fluoride can strengthen teeth both from the outside and from the inside of the tooth. When absorbed from fluoridated tap water the fluoride strengthens the inside of the tooth. When fluoride varnish is applied to the surface of the tooth it strengthens the outer tooth surface and makes in more cavity resistant.
• Fluoride varnish also has the additional benefit of decreasing tooth sensitivity along the gums.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared public water fluoridation as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.
• For most cities, every $1 invested in water fluoridation saves $38 in dental treatment costs.
• One of the most widely respected sources of information regarding fluoridation and fluorides is the American Dental Association (ADA.) The ADA maintains Fluoride and Fluoridation web pages at http://www.ada.org/gotofluoride.
