At a family gathering during the holidays, your uncle, age 78, discusses his last dental visit with you. He says the dentist tol
d him he needed to brush with a new type of toothpaste with a much higher concentration of fluoride. “He told me I have exposed roots and that worries me. I don’t know what that means, or why I have to change toothpastes all of a sudden. My teeth don’t hurt.” How do you respond?
I will respond by telling him to follow the advise of the nurse as fluoride is known to fight bacteria and germs.
<h3>What is Fluoride?</h3>
This in element which is used in the production of toothpastes. This is because it helps fight germs and bacteria which and also strengthens the teeth.
Exposed roots makes the oral cavity more susceptible to germs which is why the higher concentration of fluoride was recommended to prevent infections.
Explain to your uncle that problems such as exposed roots do not always cause pain but can lead to problems that do. Also explain to your uncle that prevention is key, and he should always follow the advice of his dentist.
Explanation:
The roots are made up of a substance called dentin. Dentin is much softer than the enamel that surrounds the crown of a tooth. Dentin is the only thing left to protect the tooth’s pulp which contains the nerves. Fluoride is a mineral that will help with remineralization and protecting these teeth with exposed roots.
