Dental Care Associates of Spokane Valley

• Fluoride is a compound formed by one or more atoms of fluorine, a water-soluble element (the 13^th most common element in the earth’s crust).

• Fluoride is a trace mineral found in most water supplies and almost all food.

• Spokane, unlike most major metropolitan communities in the USA, has no fluoride in the water supply.

• Fluoride makes tooth enamel more resistant to decay.

• Fluoride is found naturally in tooth enamel and bone.

• Fluoride may be used in two different ways:

1. Systemically: Ingested into the system through food, water, or fluoride tablets.
2. Topically: Added directly to teeth as gels, pastes, rinses, or in the diet.

• Both systemic and topical fluoride help maintain strong teeth.

What our office wants is to achieve the optimum level of systemic and/or topical fluoride for the maximum reduction of tooth decay in all our dental patients.

Glossary of Useful Terms

• Demineralization = process occurring in the mouth all the time, which dissolves or removes fluoride from teeth.  When occurring more profoundly than remineralization, the result is dental caries.

• Dental Caries = tooth decay.  Possible causes of dental caries include:
  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Active decay in teeth
  • Drug and/or alcohol abuse
  • Eating disorders (i.e. bulimia, anorexia)
  • Lack of professional dental care
  • Rough filling or active orthodontics, making cleaning difficult, resulting in poor oral hygiene
  • High levels of caries causing bacteria, possibly due to (1) blood dyscrasias – abnormal conditions in the blood, (2) poor diet
  • Exposed root surface on teeth, which are more susceptible to dental decay
  • Exposure to head and neck radiation
  • Decreased salivary flow (dry mouth) due to medications or diseases (such as uncontrolled diabetes, Sjögren’s Syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.)

• Plaque = bacteria.  Plaque is the sticky film produced (including bacteria) and the acid waste products from its activity.

• Remineralization = process occurring in the mouth all the time, which adds minerals to the teeth.  When occurring more profoundly than demineralization, the beneficial result is strong teeth.

Happy Smiles,

Dr. James G. Hood

Dental Care Associates of Spokane Valley, P.S.

Family and Cosmetic Dentistry Welcomes Patients from Age 2 to 102!

James G. Hood, D.D.S., M.A.

507 North Sullivan Road, Suite A-1, Spokane Valley, WA 99037-8576  USA

Phone: (509) 928-9100  |  Fax: (509) 928-0414

Email: drhood@drhood.com

Websites: www.drhood.com, www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalley.com

Blogs: www.drjamesghoodblog.com, www.dentalhealthandnutritionblog.com,  www.dentalcareassociatesofspokanevalleyblog.com

www.jamesandkarenhoodfoundationblog.org,  www.sjogrensblog.org

Online Store: www.dentalhealthandnutritionstore.com