What's the Deal with Bottled Water and Fluoride?

Aug 28th, 2012
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

For decades, toothpaste commercials have told us that fluoride helps prevent tooth decay, but have you wondered what makes fluoride so special? Fluoride acts as an enzyme inhibitor. For this reason it is believed to help prevent cavities by literally poisoning the bacteria in the mouth. In fact, for many years, fluoride has been added to public water supplies in much of the U.S. to reduce tooth decay.

The deal with bottled water and fluoride is that according to the American Dental Association, the majority of bottled water on the market does not contain optimal levels (0.7-1.2 ppm) of fluoride. In addition, some types of home water treatment systems often reduce the fluoride levels in water supplies, essentially decreasing the decay-preventative effects of optimally fluoridated water.

There are a number of factors that affect whether or not you’re getting enough fluoride:
● The fluoride level in your bottled water, which can vary greatly by brand. If the fluoride content does not appear on the label, contact the company and ask.
● The amount of bottled water you drink during the day.
● Whether you use bottled water for drinking, cooking or reconstituting soups, juices and other drinks.
● Whether you also drink fluoridated water at school, work or elsewhere.

Good news! There are over 20 companies that produce fluoridated bottled water, such as Absopure, Mountain Park Springs, and Wisconsin Glacier Springs. In fact, some brands can be found in major stores, like Walmart. To be certain, make it a habit to read the product label for specific content.

Regardless, fluoride is not the end all cure all. It is always important to visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and follow a daily oral health regimen.

“Fluoride alone cannot prevent all dental diseases. Be sure to brush and floss daily. Eat nutritious foods and snacks low in sugar. See your dentist regularly. You can enjoy a healthy smile for life.” (ADA 1991 brochure: Fluoride Help Prevents Tooth Decay)

For more information on whether you and/or your family are getting an adequate amount of fluoride in your daily diet, or to schedule a consultation/exam, contact the professional, friendly staff at The Dental Center at Easton Town Center today!

Teeth Whitening: Brighten Up Your Smile!

Aug 15th, 2012
Easton Dentists Mar 1st, 2017

You may have recently passed a mirror and noticed your smile reflecting back has lost its sparkle. Without a doubt, a bright, beautiful smile is one of the most effective ways to improve your appearance. With a brighter smile you’ll be more confident and smile more, radiating a healthy lifestyle with a youthful and energetic appearance.

Teeth discoloration is most commonly caused by smoking, tea, coffee, soda pop, red wine, colored food and aging. Dental teeth whitening is a simple, non-invasive treatment used to change the color of your natural teeth enamel and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile.

● In-Office Whitening. This has become one of the most popular dental procedures of
the past decade. With in-office whitening, the concentration of peroxide is between 25-30% and a UV light is used to activate components within the whitening solution to speed up the process. Each session usually lasts for 45 minutes and will get your teeth approximately eight to 10 shades whiter. How white your teeth becomes utilizing this procedure depends on how porous your teeth are.

● Take-Home Whitening. The bleaching process is done during the day for up to 1 hour or overnight while you sleep for 6-8 hours. This type of teeth whitening usually requires two visits. At the first appointment, impressions (molds) will be made of your teeth to fabricate custom, clear plastic, trays. At your second appointment, you will try on the trays for proper fit, and adjustments will be made if necessary. The trays are worn with special whitening solution either twice a day for 30 minutes or overnight for a couple of weeks depending on the degree of staining and desired level of whitening.

Don’t Slack on oral care! It is wise to visit your dentist regularly to help maintain a beautiful, healthy, white smile. Besides getting a professional cleaning every six months, brushing your teeth with whitening toothpaste twice a day is the obvious first step toward maintaining a brighter smile. Yet, it is very important to have a complete diagnosis of the condition of your teeth and gums so that you can effectively and safely get the results you want.

Contact The Dental Center at Easton Town Center today to schedule your dental whitening
consultation! Their professional friendly staff will be happy to go over your options and recommend the teeth whitening treatment that is right for you!