Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral released from rocks into the soil, water and air.  All water contains some fluoride.  Fluoride has been proven to protect teeth from decay.  Usually, the natural occurring fluoride level in water is not enough to prevent tooth decay; however, some groundwater and natural springs can have naturally high levels of fluoride.

Learn more:

• How Fluoride Works (CDC) 
• Why Do Children Need Fluoride? / ¿Por qué los niños necesitan fluoruro? (American Academy of Pediatrics)

The naturally occurring mineral fluoride protects teeth by helping to rebuild and strengthen the tooth’s surface or enamel. Water fluoridation prevents tooth decay by providing frequent and consistent contact with low levels of fluoride. By keeping the tooth strong and solid, fluoride stops cavities from forming and can even rebuild the tooth’s surface. Bacteria in the mouth produce acid when a person eats sugary foods and refined carbohydrates. This acid eats away the tooth’s protective enamel weakening the tooth and increasing the chance of developing cavities.

Learn More:

How Fluoride Works (CDC) 

The naturally occurring mineral fluoride benefits the health of teeth by strengthening the tooth’s surface and prevents tooth decay in children and adults throughout their lives. Some health benefits of fluoride are:

•    A healthy mouth means fewer cavities. 
•    Fewer cavities mean fewer fillings and tooth extractions.
•    A healthy mouth means less pain and suffering associated with tooth decay.
•    Good dental health means good overall health.

Everyone has harmful bacteria in their mouths, but drinking sugary drinks like juice or soda allows the bacteria to thrive, producing harmful acid in the process.  This acid wears away the enamel on your teeth, causing cavities to form or erosion to occur.  Reducing your consumption of sugary beverages (and replacing them with better choices like water, unsweetened tea, milk or diluted juice) helps protect your teeth.
 
Note: If you are going to consume sugary beverages, try to drink (not sip) them.  Each sip of a sugary beverage causes your mouth’s acid to spike – an increase which can last up to an hour. If you sip on a soda or juice throughout the day, this can lead to much more damage than if you were to drink the beverage quickly (and allow your body time to wash away the sugar and acid).
 
For more information on the effect of sugary beverages on your oral health, click here.

Smoking and other tobacco products can lead to gum disease by affecting the attachment of bone and soft tissue to your teeth. More specifically, it appears that smoking interferes with the normal function of gum tissue cells. This interference makes smokers more susceptible to infections such as gum disease, and seems to impair blood flow to the gums, which may affect wound healing.
Checkout the following topics related to oral health from WebMD:

• Bad breath
• Tooth discoloration
• Increased buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth
• Increased loss of bone within the jaw
• Increased risk of leukoplakia, white patches inside the mouth
• Increased risk of developing gum disease, a leading cause of tooth loss
• Delayed healing process following tooth extraction, periodontal treatment, or oral surgery
• Lower success rate of dental implant procedures
• Increased risk of developing oral cancer

The County Tobacco control office is eager to assist residents in improving their health. Checkout the following resources and email your questions to [email protected] 

• Tobacco and COVID-19 Flyer (PDF)
• SLO County Quite Tobacco Classes (PDF)
• Vaping and e-Cigarette Education (PDF)
• Visit the County Tobacco Control Program website for more information

The most important thing you can do right now to stay healthy and make sure others are healthy is to stay home. In San Luis Obispo County, most dentist offices are providing some dental services. Please contact your dental office for assistance and hours of operation. If your mouth or teeth hurt, or you think you have a dental emergency, CALL your dental provider or your local oral health program. Most offices have staff answering phones and may be able to set up a virtual appointment. Tell your provider how you feel, including if you have a fever, a cough or chest pain. Your dental team will tell you what to do next. Your dentist may talk with you about your symptoms on the phone or over video chat. Try to avoid going to the emergency room unless it is truly an emergency.

Some examples of dental emergencies are:

• Very bad toothache pain (not just a twinge)
• Swollen gums, face, or neck
• Bleeding in your mouth that does not stop
• Infection or a substantial risk of it
• Recent trauma to the mouth

Hygiene:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Scrub for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap is not available.
• Do not touch your face. This is a lot harder than it sounds and requires effort.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with the inside of your elbow or upper arm.
• Stay home if you are feeling sick and seek appropriate medical guidance.
• Take care of your teeth and mouth by brushing and flossing twice a day.

Find a Dental Provider:

• To find a dental provider that accepts MediCal Dental go to https://smilecalifornia.org
• California Dental Network: 877-433-6825 ; [email protected]
• California Health and Wellness: cahealthwellness.com ; 1-877-658-0305
• California Department of Health: CDPH.ca.gov
• County of San Luis Obispo Oral Health Program: 805-781-5503

For more information on COVID-19 in SLO County, visit slopublichealth.org/covid19.

Please review the following video from Smile CA regarding what to expect during your dental visit during the pandemic.

English: What you should know about returning to the dentist during COVID-19

Spanish: Lo que usted debe saber sobre su regreso al dentista durante COVID-19

Your child should have their first dental exam after their first tooth appears or after their first birthday, whichever comes first. Do not wait until your child starts school or has a dental emergency. View the following three-minute video from Mouth Health and the American Dental Association regarding your child’s first dental visit so it may be a good experience for you and your child.

Youtube video links 

• When Should I Start Taking My Child to the Dentist? (provided by the American Dental Association) 
• Spanish: ¿Cuándo Debo Empezar a llevar a mi Hijo al Dentista?

Other helpful resources include:

• www.2min2x.org/kids-healthy-mouths/
• http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en