First let me be clear: I’m not a crazy conspiracy person (…on this) I just don’t rely on a municipal well. As far as I know adding fluoride to the private well at my houses is not a thing, good or bad. I did drink municipal water for two years when I lived on campus in college.

That said, is fluoride a benefit to adults or just children?

When I was a kid I got fluoride treatments at the dentist, but then aged out. I’ve never had a cavity in forty years, but I’d like to keep it that way. Should I still be doing it?

Also no, I’m not using the internet as a substitute for a dentist, just my next dental appointment is in four months. TIA

  • pb42184@lemmy.worldOP
    1·
    11 days ago

    Thanks.

    I hadn’t thought of a fluoridated mouthwash but that looks obvious in hindsight.

    • 𝕽𝖚𝖆𝖎𝖉𝖍𝖗𝖎𝖌𝖍@midwest.social
      2·
      11 days ago

      Well, it’s different. On the one hand, you’re not getting flouride into your system; on the other, you’re not getting flouride into your system.

      I really don’t know if flouride ingested makes its way to your teeth, or how much difference it makes if it does. But I’m not about to start self-medicating with the stuff, so rinse it is.

      • TheOneCurly@lemm.eeEnglish
        3·
        11 days ago

        I believe the effect is entirely topical, it just doesn’t hurt to ingest a little too. The fluoride ions trigger re-hardening of the tooth enamel and can take the place of missing calcium in the outer enamel structure, but those only happen when they hit the outer enamel in your mouth, you don’t regrow enamel on fully formed teeth