Finicky about fluoride in dentistry....facts to explore

Dental decay is, by far, the most common and costly oral health problem in all age groups. It is one of the principal causes of tooth loss from early childhood through middle age. Decay continues to be problematic for middle-aged and older adults, particularly root decay because of receding gums. Older adults may experience similar or higher levels of dental decay than do children. In addition to its effects in the mouth, dental decay can affect general well-being by interfering with an individual’s ability to eat certain foods and by impacting an individual’s emotional and social well-being by causing pain and discomfort. Dental decay, particularly in the front teeth, can detract from appearance, thus affecting self-esteem and employability. In addition to impacting emotional and social wellbeing, the consequences of dental disease are reflected in the cost of its treatment.

Again, the goal must be prevention rather than repair. Fluoridation is presently the most cost-effective method for the prevention of dental decay for residents of a community

What’s fluoride ????? and it’s spotlight effect in dentistry

There are several examples of how everyday products are fortified to enhance the health— iodine is added to salt, folic acid is added to breads and cereals, and Vitamin D is added to milk.

Fluoride is not a medication, but rather a nutrient found naturally in some areas but deficient in others and when present at the right level, Fluoride is often called Nature’s Cavity Fighter and for good reason. Having 0.7 to 1.2 parts of fluoride for every million parts of water has been shown to have the best effect. Fluoride in drinking water has two beneficial effects: preventing tooth decay and contributing to healthy bones.

Fluoride a natural guardian

It is important to note that dental decay is caused by dental plaque, a thin, sticky, colorless deposit of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. When sugar and other carbohydrates are eaten, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack the tooth enamel. After repeated attacks, the enamel breaks down, and a cavity (hole) is formed. There are a number of factors that increase an individual’s risk for dental decay:

§  Snacking habits

§  Poor oral hygiene

§  No (or little) access to a dentist

§  Sticky/sugary/carbohydrate diet

§  Increased consumption of fruit juices/ soft beverages

§  Bridges, crowns, braces, and other restoration procedures

§  Irregular/ misaligned teeth

§  A history of tooth decay (cavities).

How fluoride plays its role?

It potentiates its effect in broadly 2 ways

·         Systemic/ through our body

·         Topical/ applied directly to tooth

When Is Fluoride Intake Most Critical?

It is certainly important for infants and children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years to be exposed to fluoride. This is the time frame during which the primary and permanent teeth come in. However, adults benefit from fluoride, too.

Systemic fluorides are those ingested into the body. During tooth formation, ingested fluorides become incorporated into tooth structures. Fluorides ingested regularly during the time when teeth are developing (pre-eruptively) are deposited throughout the entire tooth surface and provide longer-lasting protection than those applied topically. Systemic fluorides can also give topical protection because ingested fluoride is present in saliva, which continually bathes the teeth providing a reservoir of fluoride that can be incorporated into the tooth surface to prevent decay.

Children who have fluoride when their teeth are developing tend to have shallower grooves in their teeth, so plaque (thin, sticky film of bacteria) can be more easily removed.

Topical fluorides strengthen teeth already present in the mouth (posteruptively). In this method of delivery, fluoride is incorporated into the surface of teeth making them more decay-resistant. Topically applied fluoride provides local protection on the tooth surface. Topical fluorides include toothpastes, mouthrinses and professionally applied fluoride foams, gels and varnishes. As mentioned previously, systemic fluorides also provide topical protection.

Fluoride is said to protect the teeth in two ways:

§  Protection from demineralization - when bacteria in the mouth combine with sugars they produce acid. This acid can erode tooth enamel and damage our teeth. Fluoride can protect teeth from demineralization by making teeth resistant to acid attack.

Fluoride disrupts the process of tooth decay by:

§  Providing an environment where better quality enamel is formed, which is much more resistant to acid attack

§  Reducing the bacteria's (bacteria in plaque) ability to produce acid, a major cause of tooth decay.

§  Remineralization - if there is already some damage to teeth caused by acid, fluoride accumulates in the demineralized areas and begins strengthening the enamel, a process called remineralization.

Tooth brushing and oral health

It is widely accepted that toothbrushing plays an important role in the prevention of tooth decay, a significant goal to ensure the overall quality of health for all. Toothbrushing is considered fundamental self-care behavior for maintenance of oral health. Even though we’ve been brushing and flossing our teeth for years and years, many of us are surprised to learn that we’re not doing it properly.   When you brush your teeth, you help remove food and plaque — a sticky white film that forms on your teeth and contains bacteria. Brushing before bedtime is especially important, in order to prevent plaque and food particles remaining in contact with the teeth throughout the night.

More brushing makes teeth healthier.

Areas where cervical abrasion is appreciated

Excessive brushing causes tooth wear due to the abrasive in toothpaste, specially at the neck of tooth, there by inviting dental issues. Between twice a day brushing, rinse is the safe alternative; adding sugar free chewing gum also enhances the saliva secretion after meals thus helps in attaining the pH of oral cavity towards neutrality in less span of time, but not a substitute.

Should brushing and flossing should be avoided in bleeding gums?

 

    

No, rather bleeding is an indicative and protective sign thus appraising that disease has moved to advanced stage where professional help is required. Professional treatment rendered is "SCALING" (deep cleaning in gums), followed by polishing (makes tooth surface smooth shiny, by removing stains and scratch line, thus reduces the area for bacterial attachment) and fluoride treatment (makes tooth more resistant to decay and kills the remaining microbes) as and where required.