The Role of Fluoride Products in Effective Dental Care

We all heard about positive effects of fluoride on our dental health and strength of our teeth. Fluoride can be found in the food we eat, in the water we drink and even in the air we breathe. We receive fluoride mainly from tea, nuts, green vegetables and sea products. The majority of the toothpastes and mouth rinses we use also contain this helpful mineral element. Along with calcium and phosphorus, fluoride boosts strength and durability of our teeth, as well as ensures normal development of our bones and growth of our hair and nails.
The importance of fluoride for preventing tooth decay was discovered about 50 years ago. Modern dental professionals classify two types of fluorides we receive from the environment. Topical fluorides are the ones we receive when using fluoride products (fluoridated toothpastes, rinses and gels) by placing them onto the surfaces of our teeth. Particles of fluoride enter the crystals of tooth enamel, make it stronger and protect from possible decay and damage. Systemic fluorides are the ones that we receive with food and water. They are collected in the development layer of our tooth enamel and play important role in formation and restoration of our teeth.
The main positive effect of fluoride is increasing durability of tooth enamel and making the enamel less sensitive to the influence of sugar, acids and other “dental enemies” we consume with the food. Fluoride slows down formation and growth of plague and dental calculus. Finally, fluoride is an important element for formation of healthy tooth enamel, that is why fluoride treatment is frequently recommended to young children. Such treatment involves applying fluoride gels or other fluoride products to the teeth of your child for several minutes (preferably, under the supervision of a dental professional). Also, using special fluoride supplements and vitamins is another type of fluoride treatment.
As we receive major amounts of necessary fluoride from the water we drink, proper level of water fluoridation is one of the key points for effective tooth decay prevention. That is why the water in our water supply systems is regularly fluoridated, especially in those areas where natural level of water fluoridation is not enough. Optimal level of water fluoridation varies from 0.7 to 1.2 parts per million (depending on climatic conditions of the area). For the people who can not enjoy the benefits of fluoridated water, using home care fluoride products can be a great solution.
At the same time, it is necessary to remember that overexposure to fluoride can cause fluorosis (or teeth discoloration) and fluoride toxicity, which is usually accompanied with nausea, vomiting, pains in abdomen, thirst and other warning signs. Learn the level of water fluoridation in your local water system and adjust your diet to satisfy your daily needs of this mineral. If you have lower content of fluoride in your water, you need to enrich your diet with the products containing this useful mineral, as well as to use fluoridated toothpastes and mouth washes in order to make your teeth stronger and protect them from decay.