Mount Prospect Dentist Answers Questions About Fluoride
Fluoride benefits are well-documented and as studies have shown fluoridation of community water has reduced tooth decay by at least 25%. Beyond our drinking water fluoride supplements are also available.
For pregnant women, though, it is important to consult with your doctor and the Mount Prospect Dentist about fluoride to make sure to keep the baby and the mother healthy during this critical time.
What Does Fluoride Do?
Fluoride keeps teeth healthy in two different ways:
- Fluoride concentrates on the growing bones and developing teeth of children, helping to harden the enamel on baby and adult teeth before they erupt.
- Fluoride applied by our dentist helps to harden the enamel on adult teeth that have already erupted. Fluoride works during the natural process of building up (remineralization) and breaking down (demineralization) the enamel of our teeth.
- After eating a meal, your saliva contains acids that cause demineralization (dissolving of the calcium and phosphorous under the tooth’s surface). At other times during the day, when your saliva is less acidic, replenishing the calcium and phosphorous that keep your teeth hard.
What About Fluoride Treatments During Pregnancy?
Currently, there is no evidence to show any benefit to the developing baby’s teeth. In fact, they can be hazardous to the baby’s developing teeth.
Fluoride supplements can cross the placenta and be ingested by the baby, possibly leading to dental fluorosis (a disturbance of dental enamel caused by excessive exposure fluoride during tooth development).
Please Contact Us for More Information
If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, please contact the Mount Prospect Dentist to arrange an appointment. We will work with your obstetrician to make sure that your treatment is safe for both you and your baby.