What are the two most useful items for the person interested in preventive dentistry for self and family?
a. Fluoride is the single best element to add to tooth structure at optimum levels to prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease. 1) Systemic Fluoride – Communities who have municipal water supplies with optimum levels of fluoridated water are truly dentally blessed. If you are in a community without optimum fluoride levels for decay prevention ask your dentist or physician for dental supplements. Systemic fluoride is of benefit to children and young people up to age 28. 2) Topical Fluoride – TV does a good job selling the benefits of fluoridated toothpastes. Fluoride added to toothpaste, mouthwash, even floss is of definite value and is a benefit to anyone using such items on a regular basis. Topical fluoride is the single best addition to prevent smooth surface decay. b. Sealants – Get in the groove. Seal out decay. The first place that most teeth get decay is the grooves on biting surfaces. These pits and fissures can be filled in with a plastic material that bonds to teeth and sea
