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The truth about Fluoride in Leeds

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

If there is one subject that will split the opinions of dentists in Leeds and that is the use of fluoride and some think that there is just a little too much getting into our bodies. Apart from the obvious way which is in toothpaste, our drinking water is full of fluoride and it is considered, by some, that too much of it can be detrimental to our health. Once in the bloodstream, it can leave deposits in the brain and cause what is known as fluorosis. In rare cases, children, who tend to swallow more toothpaste than they brush with, have been known to die from it. But then, these are rare cases and unless your addicted to the stuff, the effects are really minimal and rather sounds like a bit of too much PC scaremongering, and from a dentists and patients point of view, ignoring just how good fluoride is for our teeth. One of the things we are trying to do with our teeth is to stave of plaque and tartar from forming, so that we can steer well away from things such as tooth decay and gum disease, and by cleaning regularly with a toothpaste that contains fluoride, it has been shown that it strengthens our teeth’s enamel. It regenerates it with minerals and ensures that it is strong in the fight against tooth decay. For those out there that have their doubts, there are fluoride-free toothpastes- these maybe good for children, but only by protecting our teeth can we keep our mouths healthy and fluoride has a proven track record in this area.

Get the facts about fluoride use from Leeds dentists

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

Fluoride is a chemical that helps your mouth stay healthy by strengthening the enamel which protects your teeth. It has been the subject of on-going controversy about how good it is for people; it can be difficult to establish the facts and the fiction amongst all the claims and counter claims which can be found.
Fluoride for most people will be found in the tooth paste which they use to brush their teeth with and, for many, in the tap water that they drink. Increasingly there are tooth pastes available which don’t have any fluoride in but dentists recommend that it is used so that enamel can be strengthened against the plaque which might otherwise break it down.
The introduction of fluoride into the tap water supply in the United Kingdom was met with opposition from some quarters. Many felt that it was an infringement of civil liberties to take away the choice of whether to consume fluoride or not. For some, the controversy was in the fact that fluoride as a substance can be harmful to human beings.
It is true that if fluoride is taken in too larger quantity then it can have damaging effects. A condition called dental fluorosis can occur but this is very rare and the amounts of fluoride in question are huge. Very young infants are advised against using fluoride tooth paste in case they swallow it, but adults are not at risk from fluoride.
Your Leeds dentist will be able to tell you all about fluoride but it is certain that they will support the use of it when tooth brushing. Some people like to take fluoride supplements (available from many pharmacies) if they live in an area where there is a low fluoride content in the water but using it in the form of tooth paste is usually enough.

Fluoride- Good or Bad in Leeds

Thursday, May 5th, 2011

In the days when fluoride first came to light, along with many new treatments around then, they were thrown onto the open market as the new ‘must have’, without proper research done to see if there were any side affects attached. However, on the whole, fluoride has come through, pretty much unscathed. But as good as it’s track record is, it does have some ‘alarming’ qualities too, which is why some dentists in Leeds are turning to less toxic products to treat their patients with, especially children. Kids love to eat toothpaste and swallow more than they should. This can be quite dangerous, as too much fluoride in the bloodstream can discolour teeth and leave unwanted deposits in the brain, which is why many children’s toothpastes are fluoride free. Yet the use of fluoride still notches up wonderful successes in dental treatments. It’s invaluable for promoting minerals and hardening enamel in teeth, and fighting decay by keeping saliva levels up-which is important for killing off acids and bacteria in the mouth and hence keeping plaque and gum disease at bay. All this is possible because all forms of products associated with oral hygiene have some level of fluoride in them. In a modern world, there is enough information at hand to make a logical, informed decision for yourself and of course you have your dentist. But like anything in life, everything done in moderation is going to be fairly harmless in the long run…isn’t it?

Leeds dentists advise patients about the use of fluoride in oral care

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

There are many decisions to be made when considering how best to take care of your mouth such as what type of brush to use and which, of the many, tooth pastes. One of the decisions that people have wrestled with over the years concerns fluoride and it is not without controversy. Read on for more information.
Fluoride is chemical which helps to strengthen your teeth’s enamel. Enamel is a vital part of the protective army in your mouth and guards your teeth against the formation of cavities. If enamel breaks down or is weakened them you are more likely to suffer from dental decay and require fillings in order for your teeth to maintain healthy functionality.
Fluoride is found in many tooth pastes and, perhaps most controversially, in tap water in most areas of the United Kingdom. Some people believed, and still do, that the government ought not to have started adding fluoride to the national water supply. They cite cases where an over exposure to the substance has had detrimental effects of peoples’ health.
In fact this is very rare. You need to be exposed to an awful lot of fluoride for it to harm you in any way. Most dentists will recommend that, as well as using tooth paste that has been enhanced with fluoride, patients drink tap water to top up the amount of fluoride they are consuming. Those who only drink bottled water might not be taking on enough fluoride. Fluoride supplements are available too for those who live in areas where there is a lower fluoride contant in their tap water.
If you require any further information about fluoride, don’t hesitate to arrange a meeting with your Leeds dentist at which you can ask for all the facts.

The Benefits of Fluoride in Leeds

Friday, January 28th, 2011

Fluoride has been used for over 50 year in dental care- it is used in most common toothpastes all over the world, and you will even find it in your drinking water in Leeds- it is a great benefit to the teeth…or is it? Fluoride has proved itself in the fight against to decay- it helps to maintain a good level of saliva in the mouth that breaks down bacteria naturally and neutralises acids. It regenerates minerals in tooth enamel, making it harder and helps to reverse any decay that might be in its early stages- hence it can be found in most oral hygiene products, from mouthwashes to flosses. A dentist can also administer fluoride directly on the teeth for extra protection and to fight gum disease. However, some dentists are turning away from the use of fluoride because it is toxic and this is especially a concern in children- they tend to eat more paste than they brush with. This can not only lead to the teeth discolouring and dental fluorosis, but also a build up of fluoride the brain (and in some cases death). There are fluoride free toothpastes available on the market, aimed at kids, until they have kicked the habit of swallowing the stuff! Like most things, fluoride should be used in moderation. There is enough information out there to make your own informed decisions on the subject, but there is no doubt about the protection qualities that fluoride has for the teeth.

What are the pros and cons of fluoride? Get the answers from Leeds dentists

Saturday, January 15th, 2011

In taking care of your teeth you face many dilemmas such as the strength of the bristles you choose for your brush and whether you ought to use dental floss or dental tape. Another issue that many people wrestle with is that of fluoride and whether it is helpful to use it to aid in the fight against plaque.
Although many studies have shown that the consumption of fluoride can help combat plaque – reducing levels of decay in teeth by some forty to sixty per cent – it is not without controversy. Fluoride is added to the water supply in many countries and some say that it is harmful to humans.
The benefits of fluoride to your teeth are hard to debate, however. Fluoride helps strengthen enamel, the hard substance which is coats your teeth and protects them from the effects of plaque. It is vital that plaque is stopped because it can cause the breakdown of teeth which then might have to be removed if they decay to a great extent.
It is true that a condition called dental fluorosis can develop in children who consume too much fluoride, perhaps by swallowing large amounts of fluoride enriched tooth pastes. But this is a rare happening indeed and the amount of fluoride needed to bring on dental fluorosis is very large. There are about three hundred million people around the world who consume fluoride every day from their tap and many more who do so in the form of tooth paste and negative effects are rarely seen.
Dentists advise that fluoride enhanced tooth pastes are used when brushing teeth but children under two should avoid doing so. For older children, however, fluoride is vital in getting a head start in the development of strong, healthy teeth and supplements are available if you live in an area which has less fluoride in the tap water.

Questions about Fluoride? Your City Of Leeds Dentist Will Answer Them

Monday, September 6th, 2010

Parents of growing children are in a dilemma regarding the necessity of exposing them to extra fluoride. This substance is very important for the proper development of teeth, as innumerable studies have shown over the years. Fluoride is present in certain foods we eat and it is a necessary component of a balanced diet, especially for children since it has a role in strengthening teeth and preventing tooth decay.
Fluoride has been added to the drinking water supply for a very long time now because certain diets do not contain it in sufficient quantities. People, who felt that even this was insufficient, or who lived in areas where there was not enough fluoride in the water, could use fluoride toothpastes to increase their exposure to it.
Like all good things taken to excess, even this has certain problems. Dentists have noted an increase in a certain condition called Fluorosis, where permanent discoloration occurs on the teeth of certain people who have been exposed to extremely high levels of this substance, especially in their young years when their adult teeth were just forming. This discoloration, while not harmful to the health, can severely impair the attractiveness of a smile.
You have every right to be concerned about your child’s teeth because repairing this problem will be an expensive proposition later on in life. Your City of Leeds dentist will be able to advise you regarding the fluoride levels in your drinking water and also about the best brand of toothpaste your growing child needs to use.