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Don't Let Dieting Impact Your Oral Health

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Don't Let Dieting Impact Your Oral Health

Like many people who need to lose a few pounds, I try diet after diet in an attempt to find one that finally works for me. I learned the hard way that I need to make sure any diet will not harm my teeth, even if it does help me lose a few pounds. I learned this lesson when following a grapefruit diet. There are many versions of this, but the version I tried had me eat a grapefruit alone several times each day. It was supposed to suppress my appetite. I helped keep me from munching on unhealthy snacks, but the acid in the fruit took a toll on my tooth enamel and I quickly started getting lots of cavities. I created this blog to remind people that change up their diets often to make sure the foods they are eating are not harming their teeth.

Fluoridation And Dental Health: The Facts

23 January 2016
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

Although most people know that many municipal water systems produce drinking water that contains fluoride, they may not know a lot about the specifics of fluoride and fluoridated water. In some cases, this lack of knowledge could lead to misconceptions about fluoride's usefulness This article examines the subject of fluoride and fluoridate drinking water in more detail.  

Forms  

Fluoride is compound of a natural substance that is found in the soil, air, and foods. The fluoride that people ingest into their bodies comes in two main forms: systemic and topical. Systemic fluoride is the type found in municipal water supplies. Topical fluoride is found in certain toothpastes and mouthwashes.  

Both forms of fluoride have the ability to prevent tooth decay and cavities. The enamel of your teeth lose minerals over time, a process that is known as demineralization. This process can weaken your teeth if the minerals are not replenished. Fluoride can help to inhibit this process and keep your tooth enamel strong and resistant to decay.  

Municipal Systems  

In most areas of the United States, fluoride is added to the drinking water to improve the dental health of the community. Although fluoride occurs naturally in water, it's often found in low levels that would not give the users much benefit. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, states that 75 percent of Americans have access to fluoridated drinking water through their municipal water supplier.  

Safety  

The safety of fluoride in drinking water has been confirmed over the years by a number of leading medical and scientific organizations, such as the American Medical Association, the American Dental Association, and the World Health Organization. The CDC has accessed variety of scientific studies concerning fluoridated water. The studies show that fluoridation is quite safe when fluoride is added to a municipal water system at recommended levels. 

Particularly Beneficial 

For some people, fluoride is especially beneficial. This includes those who suffer from oral health problems such as dry mouth, gum disease, and a history of frequent cavities. Also, dental patients with bridges and crowns will reap extra benefit from fluoride. In each case, the person's condition or dental history makes them prone to dental decay. Fluoride helps reduce their vulnerability.  

The fluoridation of drinking water is recognized by the scientific community as one of the greatest achievement in the field of public health. For more information about fluoride and how it promotes oral health, talk with your dental care provider or Health Centered Dentistry.