Dental hygiene forms a significant part of good grooming in human beings. It requires consistency to make sure perfect results are achieved. Some things ought to be put into practice to ensure a person's teeth are clean and healthy. Some of these things include brushing your teeth, flossing them often, and avoiding any sugary foods, among others. With these in practice, anyone would assume their mouth is healthy and hygienic. Many are the times; people fail to remember about fluoride deficiency. It is considered a severe deficiency of the mouth and should receive quick attention upon its onset.
What exactly is fluoride?
Fluoride is a mineral that is known to exist naturally. It is mainly released from rock into water sources, soil, or air. According to the American Dental Association, the element fluorine is present in the earth's crust as an ion called fluoride. It plays a significant role in the mouth because it works to hinder tooth decay. The process begins when the enamel goes through the process of remineralization and demineralization constantly. Once the enamel loses the constituents of minerals, the process is referred to as demineralization.
On the other hand, the process of regaining those minerals is what is termed remineralization. Saliva transports fluoride back to the enamel, and this poses a relevant process as it helps prevent some conditions in the mouth. Loss of minerals in the mouth could lead to cases of tooth decay.
When to detect you have fluoride deficiency
In most cases, tooth decay represents the onset of fluoride deficiency. Bacteria present on plaques produce acid with the use of carbohydrates and sugars present. The produced acid then destroys the enamel of the tooth, and as a result, damage occurs. People have, however, turned to measures such as fluoridated drinking water as its consumption lowers tooth decay by approximately twenty-five percent.
Is fluoride deficiency treatable?
Fluoride deficiency can be treated. A trained dentist will be able to diagnose it and prescribe the most accurate form of treatment. It is, however, wise to understand that apart from the course of treatment given, it is healthy to brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss daily, and have regular visits to the dentist. This helps maintain healthy teeth and gums. Here are some of the possible courses of treatment for fluoride deficiency;
- Use toothpaste and mouthwash for cleaning your teeth. These products contain fluorine that helps with the deficiency. They are easy to use and can be used at any time.
- Prescription supplements; Fluoride supplements are readily available only through the prescription of a dentist or doctor.
- Consume foods rich in fluoride; several foods and drinks are very rich in fluoride. Once consumed, the fluoride gets into the body through the bloodstream. Examples of such foods and beverages include oysters, crabs, and black tea.
- Professional fluoride application; dentists can apply fluoride to your teeth in the form of varnish, a gel, or foam.
Other concerns related to fluoride deficiency
This deficiency can trigger the overall health deterioration in a person. When a tooth rots or decays, it is most likely going to cause plaque development, which later leads to gum disease. It is a bit hard to diagnose gum disease, which causes the health of a person to deteriorate without their knowledge. This is because the bacteria present from the gum disease fills the mouth, and it may enter the bloodstream and trigger heart disease, stroke, or even cause arteries to clog.
