Fluoride Treatment Side Effects

The definition of a side effect is one that is secondary and usually undesirable. It is not your primary objective but an outcome that is somewhat adverse. We’ll run through the many advantages first of including fluoride in your diet and then list some of the minor risks that came come out of an excessive amount of fluoride over time.

What is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a form of a chemical element called fluorine. It is a natural mineral found in water and many food products. Fluoride has been found to stymie or combat tooth decay. When too much bacteria carrying plaque is left on a tooth it will turn into an acid and attack the natural minerals in the hard surface of the tooth called enamel. Fluoride will not only replace those lost minerals but you can actually increase the amount of minerals resulting in heathier and stronger enamel.

What are the Benefits of any kind of Fluoride Treatment?

Many cities across the United States add fluoride to their municipal water to help citizens of all ages by attempting to assist in reducing tooth decay in their local population. Studies have shown that fluoride can reduce tooth decay by 20 to 40 percent and this is most evident with children. Citizens that have private wells sometimes will add fluoride to their diet with just a pill. You can also do fluoride treatments at home with fluoride toothpaste or fluoride treated mouth wash. Infants and small children can have fluoride treatments in raleigh nc where the product is delivered via a varnish painted on the tooth. Professional fluoride treatments in your dental office is the most effective with the fluoride administered through a gel in a tray. With nothing more than a few minutes and a 30-minute rest period the enamel is able to absorb the fluoride and replace the lost minerals.

What are Risks and Side Effects of Too much Fluoride Treatment

There seems to be a risk with anything we encounter in life today. The negative side effect to excessive fluoride treatments can include some discoloration of the tooth. This means you might get some small white spots or streaks in the enamel. As beneficial to your bones fluoride is too much can make the bones more brittle. Again, this is an exception to the rule. On an occasion, you might develop acne or other minor skin irritations. It has caused earlier puberty in young girls, has causes some cardiovascular problems and also neurological problems that could lead to ADHD. It has also causes some dysfunction in the thyroid gland. An acute, high-level of fluoride can lead to abdominal pain, excessive saliva and nausea and vomiting. Even seizures have been reported.

Risk and Reward

A strong disclaimer to conclude this review is that most substances in large quantities can be harmful but are helpful in small amounts. Having a fluoride treatment twice a year after you have an examination and your teeth cleaned has been found to be an overwhelming benefit to the health and care of your teeth.

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