Fluoride: Facts, Benefits, Sources and Safety

You might have seen a lot of brands of toothpaste boasting of having fluoride as an ingredient. It might have left you wondering what fluoride is and why is it used as a constituent of toothpaste. Well, fluoride is a mineral with excellent benefits to your health. Commonly found in soil, water and many food items, it is now being incorporated in toothpaste, mouthwashes, etc. Its main job is to provide strength to the enamel, which in turn prevents the development of cavities in teeth.

Fluoride comes from fluorine element and is found naturally in the earth’s crust. Its ability to prevent the process of demineralization of teeth makes it a safe ingredient to be present in mouth cleaning substances. Some countries also add fluoride to their drinking water to prevent tooth decay in the population.

Benefits of fluoride:

Fluoride not only strengthens the outer layer or enamel of the teeth but also reverses the damage that has already been caused to the teeth. Some benefits of using fluoride are:

• Prevents the deposition of harmful plaque on the surface of the teeth
• Used for strengthening bone loss due to diseases like osteoporosis
• Helps prevent gum swelling and tooth decay
• Instrumental in preventing cavities
• Significantly decreases the amount of tooth decay in people when added to water
• Used in imaging tests like PET scan
• Used as a cleaning agent

Sources:

Fluoride is derived naturally from water, air and soil. Supplements of fluoride are also prescribed by healthcare professionals in case of its deficiency. Consuming water added with fluoride can prevent and reverse many signs of tooth decay in both children and adults.

Associated side effects:

Just like any other substance, the consumption of too much fluoride can cause damage to your health. The safety risks associated with a high dosage of fluoride are:

• The weakening of your bones, muscles and even some problems of the nervous system.
• Dental fluorosis- This occurs in children. Usage of high doses of fluoride during tooth formation inside the gum can lead to discoloration. This can be seen as several white spots on the teeth. To prevent this, ensure that the children do not swallow the toothpaste and only use minute quantities while brushing.
• Skeletal fluorosis- The symptoms of skeletal fluorosis include stiffness and pain in the joints. Long term exposure to fluoride in an unregulated amount can be harmful to your overall well being. 
• High amount of fluoride should be avoided during pregnancy as some people might even be allergic to fluoride. 

To sum up, fluoride plays a key role in maintaining your dental health. To ensure that your teeth are getting enough fluoride to prevent any decay or cavities, regularly get them checked by your dentist. They can help you figure out the right way to get the necessary mineral to keep your teeth healthy.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.