{"id":193,"date":"2018-08-17T15:41:24","date_gmt":"2018-08-17T15:41:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drlmetzger.com\/blog\/?p=193"},"modified":"2018-08-17T15:42:11","modified_gmt":"2018-08-17T15:42:11","slug":"family-dentist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drlmetzger.com\/blog\/family-dentist\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Fluoride and Why Would a Family Dentist Recommend It?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Woman<\/a>They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, which is certainly true when it comes to your oral health! Everyone can agree that spending time and money getting fillings, crowns and root canals is best avoided. But what\u2019s the easiest way to do that? Of course, brushing, flossing and getting regular dental checkups is a great place to start. But there\u2019s one more simple, inexpensive thing you can do that will dramatically reduce the number of cavities you get: Use fluoride at home or have it applied by a family dentist. In this blog, you\u2019ll learn about what fluoride is, the best way to use it – and why it\u2019s such a game-changer for your smile!<\/p>\n

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What Is Fluoride and Why Is It Recommended?<\/h2>\n

Fluoride is an element that\u2019s naturally found in water, soil, plants and animals. It\u2019s also present in small amounts in your bones and teeth, in addition to other minerals like calcium and phosphorous.<\/p>\n

When it\u2019s used topically, it prevents tooth decay by making your enamel hard and tough, as well as fighting cavity-causing bacteria.<\/p>\n

In fact, fluoride is so effective that most dental insurance companies cover professional treatments up until age 19 – and some even cover it for all ages. They know that the patients who get fluoride treatments need significantly less dental work than those who don\u2019t!<\/p>\n

Although some people avoid fluoride because they\u2019re concerned about it being toxic, it\u2019s been safely used for decades in both the water supply and in topical treatments. As with any vitamin or mineral, including things like iron supplements, a huge dose can be harmful.<\/p>\n

Fluoride would have to be ingested<\/em> in very large amounts, not used topically, to have any negative effects.<\/p>\n

How Can You Get the Benefits of Fluoride?<\/h2>\n

Fortunately, there are multiple ways to take advantage of the anti-cavity benefits of fluoride:<\/a><\/p>\n