If you listen to an oral care specialist for a hot minute, you’re likely to hear all about fluoride. Fluoride is the go-to preventative tool recommended by Amercian Dental Association. And with good reason! The introduction of fluoride has revolutionized oral health. However, it does have some downsides. Too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis, tooth discoloration. Also, fluoride can be dangerous if swallowed in large quantities, and is not recommended for children under 6 years old. Some scientists have expressed concerns at the effect of water fluoridation and hormone levels.
At West One Family Dental, we still think fluoride toothpaste is an effective tool for cavity prevention, when used correctly. However, there is a new (to the USA) superstar- Nano Hydroxyapatite- that’s getting lots of attention, and we’d be remiss to not cover it here.