Fluoride Benefits: How It Strengthens Teeth & Prevents Tooth Decay

What is fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in many foods and all drinking water. The level of fluoride in water varies by geography.

What are the benefits of fluoride?

Fluoride can improve dental health by strengthening the tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay. It also decreases the acid produced by the germs on your teeth.

Children who receive fluoride while their teeth are developing have shallower grooves, allowing plaque to be removed more easily. Plaque is a thin, sticky layer of bacteria that regularly grows on your teeth.

Water fluoridation has been studied for more than 60 years, and it has been shown to prevent decay by 40 to 60 percent.

Where can I get fluoride?

Fluoride is naturally present in many foods and water sources, and it is also added to some drinking water. The most effective dose is 0.7 to 1.2 parts fluoride per million parts water (0.7ppm to 1.2ppm).

All water includes fluoride. Your local water supply can tell you how much fluoride is present in your drinking water.

Is there sufficient fluoride in my water supply?

Possibly. However, natural fluoride levels are insufficient in some areas to improve tooth health. Many locations add fluoride to their water. Your water supplier will be able to inform you if the water you supply contains fluoride. The amount of fluoride in the water varies based on where you live.

Fluoride is also found in various foods and beverages, including fish and tea. Some countries add fluoride to table salt and milk instead of drinking water. One cup of tea can provide 0.3 to 0.5 milligrams of fluoride, and if you drink it with milk, your teeth will benefit from the calcium. To further lower the risk of tooth decay, drink tea without added sugar.

What about fluoridated toothpaste?

Most toothpastes now include fluoride, and this is how most people get their fluoride. Fluoride toothpaste is quite effective at preventing tooth decay. The amount of fluoride in toothpaste is usually sufficient to prevent decay.

Fluoride toothpaste provides additional protection when the water supply contains fluoride.

For toddlers under three, toothpaste should contain at least 1000 ppm of fluoride. After three years old, they should use toothpaste containing 1350ppm to 1500ppm.

Parents should oversee their children's brushing and limit their use of fluoride toothpaste to a pea-sized spread until they are about 7 years old.

Spit after brushing and don't rinse with water to keep the fluoride on your teeth longer.

What are the different forms of fluoride found in toothpaste?

There are numerous forms of fluoride found in toothpaste. They are known as stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, and sodium monofluorophosphate.

Should humans get additional fluoride?

Children in poorer locations with non-fluoridated water supplies may have five times more decay than children in more affluent or fluoridated places. According to research, adding fluoride to water is the most effective strategy to reduce 'dental inequalities.'.

Your dentist can administer fluoride to your teeth. Since these varnishes or gels are more concentrated than those you can apply yourself, you won't need them as often. These applications can be beneficial to some individuals. Fluoride varnishes can help prevent tooth decay, particularly in persons with dry mouth.

Some people are more prone to tooth decay; therefore, dentists may recommend using a stronger fluoride toothpaste for added protection.

Are there any negative effects to fluoride?

Too much fluoride during tooth development causes "dental fluorosis." Children under the age of seven who use fluoride supplements and live in areas with fluoridated water can develop this condition. It can also occur when children swallow toothpaste.

What is fluorosis?

In its mildest form, dental fluorosis appears as very fine pearly white lines or flecking on the teeth's surface. This minor fluorosis is typically only detected by a dental professional. Severe fluorosis may cause enamel pitting and discoloration.

Fortunately, severe fluorosis is uncommon.

Is fluoride safe?

Fluoride has been the subject of numerous reports published around the world. After many years of research, scientists have concluded that fluoride toothpaste, as well as properly fluoridated water, salt, and milk, is extremely beneficial to dental health, helps decrease decay, and has no negative effects on overall health. According to studies, there is no proof that fluoride added to water has any negative side effects.

People who oppose fluoridation claim to have strong evidence that fluoride added to water is harmful. However, research has not backed up their claims.

More than 300 million individuals worldwide drink fluoridated water. Many millions of people use fluoride toothpaste on a regular basis. In the United States, for example, more than half of the population has access to fluoridated water. This has resulted in higher levels of dental health, which helps overall health.