Fluoride
What is it?
Fluorine is a naturally occurring fluoride compound found in rocks and soil. It is present at varied concentrations in all water sources, including rainwater and the oceans, ranging from 1.2 to 1.4 mg/L. In the United States, the natural level of fluoride in ground water varies from very low to over 4 mg/L, while the fluoride concentration in surface water sources such as lakes and rivers is very low.
How does fluoride help prevent tooth decay?
Fluoride protects teeth by preventing the loss of minerals and restoring them with a fluoride-containing mineral that is more resistant to acid attacks. It also reduces demineralization and enhances remineralization, and works to hinder bacterial activity necessary for tooth decay. According to studies, fluoride inhibits bacteria's ability to digest carbohydrates and generate acids through a method of action. Moreover, it may make it more difficult for germs to adhere to the surface of teeth. Saliva contains fluoride and minerals like calcium and phosphate that are then retained as tooth plaque. Fluoride must be present continuously at low quantities in saliva and plaque in order to prevent the development of tooth decay or to repair tooth surfaces. Fluoridated water is a common source of low-dose fluoride exposure, which helps to keep plaque and salivary glands stocked with fluoride to prevent demineralization and promote remineralization.
What is water fluoridation?
Water fluoridation is a regulated process that raises the naturally occurring fluoride level in municipal water supply to the level that is ideal for oral health. Fluoridation helps adults and children avoid tooth decay. Using the best available evidence, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) set the recommended fluoride level in drinking water in the country at 0.7 mg/L in 2015.17 This amount successfully lowers dental fluorosis while reducing tooth decay. Fluoride concentrations in water are expressed as milligrams per liter (mg/L) or parts per million (ppm). (ppm). A concentration in milligrams per liter is equivalent to a concentration in parts per million when referring to water, and the two notations can be used interchangeably. Thus, 0.7 ppm of fluoride is equivalent to 0.7 mg/L of fluoride in water. The milligrams per liter notation is the most common.
Is water fluoridation effective in helping to prevent tooth decay?
Fluoridation is an effective public health measure for preventing and reversing tooth decay in children, adolescents and adults, with hundreds of studies published in peer reviewed, scientific journals. The effectiveness of fluoride in drinking water to prevent tooth decay has been documented for over 70 years. Before the first community fluoridation program began in 1945, epidemiologic data from the 1930s and 1940s showed low tooth decay rates associated with fluoride at 1 ppm (mg/L). To read about the discovery of fluoride and it's ability to reduce dental careies, click here.
Topical Fluoride
Fluoride can be delivered topically and systemically to strengthen teeth and provide topical protection. Topical fluorides strengthen teeth already present in the mouth, while systemic fluorides are ingested and become incorporated into forming tooth structures.
| Age | Children 2 and under | Childrne 2-6 |
|---|---|---|
| Toothpaste |
Use a smear of fluporide toothpaste, no bigger than a grain of rice, when brushing your childs teeth. Start brushing your childs teeth, with fluoride toothpaste, as soon as the first tooth has erupted the gum line. Do not rinse your childs mouth after brushing their teeth. |
Brush your childs teeth with a pea-sized amounth of fluoride toothpaste. Child should spit out excess toothpaste. Do not rinse your childs mouth after brushing their teeth. Typically, children will require help brushing their teeth until the age of 8. |
| Varnish | Apply every3-6 months | Apply every 3-6 months |
| Mouth rinses, gel, or foam | Not recommended | Not recommended |
Learn more about topical fluoride, by clicking here.