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Fluoride strengthens teeth and can be added to water, toothpaste, or administered by dentists. It is also used in drug compounds and can be added to salt in areas without fluoridated water.
Fluoride is a chemical additive useful for strengthening and protecting the enamel on the surface of the teeth. It is a form of reduced fluorine, which is used in applications ranging from use in fluorocarbons to products that effectively clean glass or remove paint from a wood or brick surface. When used as a halogen, fluorine develops into a monovalent ion. Fluoride is also an element in a number of drug compounds used to treat a variety of health ailments.
Unlike some forms of fluoride, dental fluoride is used to nourish and improve the stability and strength of teeth, effectively making them less susceptible to developing decay or damage from chewing or similar activities.
There are essentially three different ways to fortify your teeth with this substance. One of the most common is the introduction of fluoride into the water systems of many communities. This is usually thought to help inhibit tooth decay even if members of the community don’t see a dentist on a regular basis. While the addition of fluoride to water systems has been relatively common since the mid-20th century, there is some opposition to this practice. However, the process is still supported by organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States and similar agencies in other countries.
A second method of introducing this substance into the teeth is to use a fluoride toothpaste as part of the daily oral hygiene strategy. It might surprise some people to find that not all toothpaste brands include fluoride in their formulas. For this reason, it is recommended that you check the ingredients of the toothpaste before purchasing to ensure that the substance is actually listed. It is recommended to use the toothpaste after each meal to get the maximum benefit.
Dentists can also administer fluoride treatments to patients. This is usually a topical application that takes place after the teeth have been cleaned and any traces of decay have been removed from the teeth. For people who tend not to brush regularly with a fluoride toothpaste or who live in an area where it is not added to their drinking water, these types of applications can go a long way in keeping your teeth strong.
In areas where regular dental checkups and fluoridated water systems aren’t common, it’s also quite common for common table salt to be infused with fluoride. While not as effective as other methods, adding the substance to salt helps minimize the incidence of tooth decay and allows people to enjoy a higher standard of dental health than would otherwise be possible.
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