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fluoride

Photography by Dr. Padval

Fluoride & Your Health

What is fluoride, and why is it good for my teeth? Fluoride is a compound of the element fluorine, which is found universally throughout nature in water, soil, air, and in most foods. Fluoride is absorbed easily into tooth enamel, especially in the growing teeth of children. Once teeth are developed, fluoride makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay and promotes remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before the damage is even visible. "Systemic" fluoride is ingested when added to public [...]

By |2023-12-22T15:02:58-08:00March 19, 2024|Preventative Dentistry|

Putting the Squeeze on Toothpaste

Why is brushing with it important? Brushing with toothpaste is important for several reasons. First and foremost, a toothpaste and a correct brushing action work to remove plaque, a sticky, harmful film of bacteria that grows on your teeth that causes caries, gum disease, and eventual tooth loss if not controlled. Second, the toothpaste contains fluoride, which makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay and promotes remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before the damage can even be seen. Third, special [...]

By |2023-12-22T15:01:26-08:00January 9, 2024|Preventative Dentistry|

Your Child’s First Visit to the Dentist

When should my child first see a dentist, and why? The ideal time is six months after your child's first (primary) teeth erupt. This time frame is a perfect opportunity for us to carefully examine the development of your child's mouth. Because dental problems often start early, the sooner the visit the better. To safeguard against problems such as baby bottle tooth decay, teething irritations, gum disease, and prolonged thumb-sucking, we can provide or recommend special preventive care. How do I prepare my child [...]

By |2023-11-28T08:00:40-08:00November 28, 2023|Children's Dentistry|

What’s in Toothpaste?

And Why Is Using It Important? Toothpaste is the first line of defense for your teeth and overall oral health. A proper oral hygiene regimen means you should be brushing twice a day—once before bedtime and once in the morning. That's because, during the night, saliva flow lessens and bacteria growth is at its highest, so it's important to brush before and after this period, when your teeth are at their most vulnerable. Brushing is the best way to prevent the buildup of plaque, [...]

By |2022-03-22T08:00:24-07:00March 22, 2022|Preventative Dentistry|

Food for Healthy Teeth

Food and Drinks that Are Good For Teeth Nutrition from food is an essential part of oral health! As the old saying goes, "You are what you eat." The nutrition we obtain from food and drink significantly contributes to our health, and that includes your teeth as well. Some food can increase the risk for cavities and tooth decay, while others provide benefits as a source for critical nutrients. Here are the best food and drinks for healthy teeth. Nuts Nuts are full of [...]

By |2021-03-09T08:00:01-08:00March 9, 2021|Nutrition|

Fluoride Treatments for Kids

Children's Fluoride Treatments available in Sacramento, CA Fluoride plays an important role in the development of children's teeth. Fluoride is often found naturally in water, soil, air, and many foods. It is absorbed easily into tooth enamel, especially in the growing teeth of children from 6 months to 16 years old. Once teeth are fully developed, fluoride makes them more resistant to decay by promoting remineralization. This process replaces the lost tooth structure before the damage is even visible! Many cities add fluoride to [...]

By |2021-01-05T08:00:37-08:00January 5, 2021|Children's Dentistry|

Adult Fluoride Treatments

Topical Fluoride Treatments in Sacramento, CA No matter your age, fluoride helps prevent cavities, tooth decay, and periodontal disease. Fluoride helps create healthy teeth, and it's not just for kids—adults need fluoride too! Every day, acidic foods and drinks threaten to erode tooth enamel. Bacteria as well, can produce acid and dissolve the enamel on a microscopic level. (A process that is known as Demineralization.) Fortunately, our body fights back by constantly rebuilding enamel with the help of minerals like calcium and fluoride. Fluoride [...]

By |2020-11-03T08:00:04-08:00November 3, 2020|Patient Education|

Developing Good Habits

To Protect Children's Teeth Food & Drink Eating and drinking habits are the biggest factors in preventing childhood cavities. But, just as important as what children eat, is when they eat it. To encourage positive eating habits and prevent cavities, limit eating time to 4 or 5 periods during the day (rather than continuous snacking). By reducing the amount of time that food directly contacts teeth, you help reduce the formation of bacteria and plaque. Additionally, avoid meals and snacks that have a large [...]

By |2020-06-02T08:00:39-07:00June 2, 2020|Children's Dentistry|

7 Tips to Protect Kids’ Health

Ways to Protect Teeth & Overall Health Take these seven steps to achieve greater safety and fend off some of the most common childhood mishaps! Prevent decay with fluoride. If your family drinks only bottled or filtered water, you may be getting less fluoride than the recommended amount; ask about fluoridation treatments! Mouthguards for athletes. It's important to always wear a mouthguard whenever there's potential for trauma, but a poorly fitting mouthguard can also lead to teeth and jaw problems. The best are custom [...]

By |2020-03-10T08:00:25-07:00March 10, 2020|Children's Dentistry|

Fluoride Levels and The Goldilocks Rule

The best rule for fluoride is not too much. Not too little. Ever since the first American city began to manage fluoride levels in its water supply, there's been plenty of misinformation floating around regarding the potential benefits and dangers of this substance. In a nutshell, fluoride has been shown to help protect against tooth decay. It also exists naturally in most water supplies. When communities fluoridated their water, they weren't necessarily adding it; they were adjusting the dose to the best level. That's [...]

By |2019-07-23T08:00:42-07:00July 23, 2019|Preventative Dentistry|