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Fluoride prevents dental decay (cavities)

In 1901 Dr. Frederick McCay a Colorado Springs Colorado dentist is credited with the discovery that fluoride in the water could prevent cavities. What he found in the Colorado Springs area was that many of his patients has mottled enamel that was not very good looking but was free from decay. What was found was the well water in the area had high concentrations of fluoride. In the 1930’s and 1940’s he along with other researchers conducted epidemiological studies that pointed to fluoride as decreasing the rate of decay. The question became… could you get protection from fluoride and not get the ugly teeth (mottled enamel). Denver dentists Dr. James DeLapp and Dr. H. Candace DeLapp provide general and cosmetic dental services for their patients in the Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Centennial, Greenwood Village and Ken Caryl area of the Denver Metro area.

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Where fluoride in toothpastes all began

While the discovery of fluoride in the water decreased the risk of dental decay it was in Grand Rapids Michigan when the clinical trial of dietary fluoride supplements began.  At this time these researches investigated the use of fluoride compounds and their used in toothpaste for decreasing of  or preventing cavities.

How fluoride works

Fluoride works by combining with the calcium in the enamel to form a harder mineral.  This harder mineral is more resistant to the acids that the bacteria form that cause cavities.  The idea here being the harder the material the more resistant to demineralizatin from the  acids the bacteria produce.

Newer re-mineralizing toothpastes

MI paste in addition to the fluoride has calcium in in formulation. In very small areas of decay it is thought that the calcium can remineralize and early cavity.  Noticed how we used the term “early” cavity? Larger areas of decalcification do not remineralize at this time. Even small areas of decay are in most instance going to need a dental filling.

Call our Denver dentist today

Please feel free to contact our office today at (303) 694-9740 and schedule and appointment.  If you prefer to send us an e-mail click the following link Denver Dentist e-mail.