Dental health education

What is fluoride?
Fluoride is a mineral in your bones and teeth. It’s also found naturally in the following:

What are the benefits of fluoride?
Fluoride is commonly used in dentistry to strengthen enamel, which is the outer layer of your teeth. Fluoride helps to prevent cavities. It’s also added in small amounts to public water supplies in the United States and in many other countries. This process is called water fluoridation.

Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease, and the most common.
It is reversible and involves only the gum tissues around the teeth.
Signs: Bleeding when brushing or flossing, puffy, red tissues between the teeth, and pain or tenderness.

Periodontitis
(also called periodontal disease) is gum disease. This infection damages the soft tissue around your teeth and wears away the bone supporting them. If left untreated, the disease eventually ruins the bone, loosening the teeth and causing them to fall out.
The most common cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque that develops on the surface of your teeth. If not removed with regular cleaning, the plaque can harden and turn into tartar and calculus.

Symptoms of Periodontitis
If you notice any of the following symptoms, it's time to make a dentist appointment.
Red or swollen gums
Easily bleeding gums
Loose or shifting teeth
Bad breath
Gum inflammation
Even though the above symptoms could also signal other conditions, you still need to take immediate action.