Make Sure There’s Fluoride in Your Water
As a direct result of fluoridation, dental health in our part of the world has seen many benefits. The improvement is most evident in our children, where fluoride in our water has reduced tooth decay by 50 percent.
Why then, are some put off by the idea of fluoride? It’s true that excessive levels can actually damage tooth enamel—too much of any good thing is too much. However continuing research, down to the molecular level, proves the bottom line: fluoride is good for us. It means bacteria are disarmed, plaque can’t get a foothold, and teeth and gums are nourished.
If you and your family drink bottled water or use a filter on your tap, then you may not be receiving the benefits fluoride provides. In fact, many home water filters remove approximately 90 percent of fluoride from tap water. And the levels in bottled water are often non-existent.
Bottom Line: Fluoride is Good For Us
- We may opt to give children a head start by providing a topical treatment here in the office.
- People with periodontal problems show encouraging recovery with fluoride gels and solutions.
- Older patients can benefit too. With topical treatment, adults enjoy 67% less decay on the root surfaces of teeth.
- Fluoride-fortified toothpaste and rinses don’t hurt either!
Along with our concerns for your whole health, we welcome the benefits of fluoride—an important part of our preventative practice. And plain good sense.
Dr. Angela Burns moved to Austin 10 years ago and instantly fell in love with our beautiful city. Dr. Burns is originally from the Texarkana area. She attended Texas A&M for her undergraduate degree and The University of Tennessee Health Science Center for her degree in dental surgery (DDS). Dr. Burns is committed to providing her patients with gentle, technologically advanced dental treatment. She attends an average of 60 hours of continuing education every year. She is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Texas Dental Association, and the Capital Area Dental Society. Dr. Burns and her husband, Gary, have an 11-year-old daughter, Sydney, who is a proud 6th grader at Hill Country Middle School. She is also very involved in the Eanes PTO, her church, and loves raising her family in the Westlake community. “Growing up, I was drawn to mediating and helping others feel more included and less anxious. I was a camp counselor, student government officer and being the oldest of five, I was the family mediator. I found that I had a calling to help alleviate stressful situations for others and realized that being a good listener was something that was key to this. These skills really helped guide me into becoming a dentist that has based my practice on relationships, empathy and a sense of comfort. I knew that I wanted to provide an atmosphere that felt like home when others walked in. Our practice is small, personal and state of the art and we hope you feel like you’re hanging out with friends when you are here!” When she is not practicing dentistry, Dr. Burns enjoys traveling, hiking the greenbelt, enjoying Austin’s music scene, and eating Amy’s Ice Cream.
