An essential part of a dental care routine is brushing your teeth with toothpaste, which typically contains a particular ingredient: fluoride. While you've likely heard of the substance, you may be unfamiliar with what it is and how it supports oral health. Consult the guide to discover why you should keep an eye out for this mineral when shopping for dental products.

What Is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in drinking water and some foods. It gets into water supplies, soil, and air after being released by rocks. Though almost all moisture sources have traces of this substance, not all drinking fluids naturally contain enough to promote good oral health.

How Does Fluoride Benefit Your Oral Health? 

When you eat and drink food with sugar, the bacteria in your mouth consume the ingredient and release acid. The byproduct attacks the enamel and causes it to wear away. Over time, this outermost layer of the tooth will weaken substantially, resulting in decay and cavities. Using dental care products containing fluoride helps the enamel retain its strength by rebuilding damage caused by bacterial acids before they worsen.

How Can You Get More Fluoride?

The easiest way to provide your teeth with fluoride is by brushing twice daily with toothpaste that contains the mineral. You can also drink tap water, as this substance is added to municipal water systems in many parts of the country because of its oral health benefits.

Children are more prone to cavities than adults, so they will benefit from specialized treatment using a fluoridated gel or varnish to strengthen tooth decay. Adults experiencing dry mouth can also benefit from this protection to prevent cavities.

Besides adding fluoride to your dental care routine, you can maintain your oral health with regular visits to Four Corners Dental Group. With convenient state-of-the-art offices in Wasilla and Anchorage, AK, they offer comprehensive cosmetic, family, and laser dentistry services. Their caring staff and knowledgeable dentists provide various solutions to ensure a great smile, from teeth cleanings to dental implants and fluoride applications. Call (907) 258-3384 to schedule an appointment, or visit them online for more details about their services.