Fluoride, a mineral found naturally in many foods and water, helps prevent tooth decay. It treats early cavities and remineralizes tooth enamel.
Although fluoride may be harmful in large amounts, it is difficult to reach toxic levels due to the low amount of fluoride in over-the-counter products, such as toothpastes and mouthwash.
Fluoride is a natural mineral found in many foods and water. In dentistry, health care providers use fluoride to strengthen teeth and reduce the risk of cavities, according to the Cleveland Clinic in the United States.
What is the benefit of fluoride?
Tooth enamel (the protective outer layer of teeth) gains and loses minerals daily. You lose minerals when acids – made up of bacteria, plaque and sugars in your mouth – attack your tooth enamel, and this process is known as demineralization, while you gain minerals – such as fluoride, calcium and phosphate – when you consume foods and water that contain these minerals, and this process is known as remineralization.
Tooth decay occurs as a result of the removal of excess minerals without adequate remineralization.
Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by making tooth enamel more resistant to acid attacks, and it also treats early tooth decay.
Types of fluoride used in dentistry
Many foods and waters contain fluoride, and small amounts occur naturally in many foods, although most people get fluoride from fluoridated water and toothpaste. Brewed black tea and coffee contain fluoride naturally, as plants absorb it from the soil. Shellfish may contain fluoride, which accumulates in their shells and muscles.
Fluoride is found in black tea and coffee, fluoridated water, canned shellfish such as shrimp and blue crab, oatmeal, raisins and potatoes.
You can also buy fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash, and low-fluoride mouthwash without a prescription. Stronger concentrations in liquid or tablet form require a prescription from a healthcare provider.
Your dentist can also apply fluoride to your teeth in the form of:
- Foam, distributed in a designated tray, then placed on your teeth.
- Paint, applied directly to your teeth.
- Gel, painted on your teeth or distributed in a designated tray.
At what age is fluoride intake most important?
Infants and children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years need an adequate amount of fluoride. Developing teeth benefit from fluoride just as teeth have already erupted.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends monitoring high fluoride intake in infants and young children. The association also specifically recommends avoiding reconstituted liquid formulas, such as liquid concentrate or dried infant formulas that require mixing with fluoride-added water.
Instead, she recommends using breast milk, ready-to-feed formula, or prepared formula mixed with fluoride-free water. These recommendations aim to prevent tooth enamel fluorosis, which are faint white lines that can appear on tooth enamel during a child’s growing years, even before teeth emerge through the gums.
For young children, the American Dental Association (ADA) also recommends:
- Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste with each brushing. Spit out the toothpaste instead of swallowing it.
- Do not allow children under 6 years of age to use fluoride mouthwash unless recommended by a dentist or other health care provider.
- Do not give nutritional supplements that contain fluoride to children under the age of 6 months.
Do adults benefit from fluoride?
Yes, adults can also benefit from fluoride, and you may particularly benefit from fluoride if you suffer from:
- Dry mouth, a common side effect of some health conditions (such as Sjögren’s syndrome) and some medications (such as allergy medications and antihistamines). Saliva (spit) helps wash away food particles and bacteria. Slow saliva production makes you more susceptible to oral health problems such as gum disease and cavities.
- Gum disease, which exposes your teeth and gums to bacteria and increases the risk of tooth decay.
- A history of tooth decay, which usually means you would benefit from additional fluoride.
- Crowns, bridges, braces, or removable partial dentures, which may increase your risk of tooth decay, especially around orthodontic brackets or where the crown meets your teeth.
What happens during fluoride treatment?
Your dentist or dental hygienist can give you a fluoride treatment during a routine dental exam or cleaning. They will apply fluoride gel, foam, or varnish to your teeth. Typically, a fluoride treatment takes less than 5 minutes.
What are the benefits of fluoride?
Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces the risk of tooth decay by approximately 25%.
Fluoride specifically works to:
- Remineralization of tooth enamel
- Treating early tooth decay
- Slows down the metal removal process
- Prevents the growth of bacteria that cause caries
Is fluoride toxic?
When used correctly, fluoride is safe and effective. But it can be dangerous in high doses. (The “toxic” dose level varies depending on the person’s weight.)
If you are a parent, it is important to supervise your child’s fluoride use.
Here are some useful tips:
- Avoid flavored toothpaste. (Children are more likely to swallow flavored toothpaste.)
- Use only a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste on your child’s toothbrush.
- Use caution when using fluoridated toothpaste for children under 6 years of age. (Children under 6 are more likely to swallow toothpaste rather than spit it out.)
- It is very difficult to reach dangerous levels of fluoride due to the low levels of fluoride in over-the-counter products. But if you have concerns, talk to your dentist, pediatrician or primary health care provider.
Are there risks or side effects of fluoride?
The most common side effect of fluoride is fluoride poisoning (dental discoloration caused by fluoride). People with fluoride poisoning develop spots on their teeth that can range from light white to dark brown. These stains usually occur during tooth development, and usually occur in children under 6 years of age.
Fluoride poisoning often results from consuming natural fluoride, such as found in well water. If you have well water, testing a sample can help determine the amount of fluoride in the water.
You can’t remove fluoride poisoning with brushing, but your dentist may be able to use special whitening methods to treat the problem. If professional whitening doesn’t work, you can opt for dental bonding or porcelain veneers.
What is the appropriate amount of fluoride and what is its effect?
The optimal level of fluoride is 0.7 ppm. This is the amount found in public water supplies in communities that use fluoridated water.
When you eat fluoride, your intestines absorb it, and your bones and teeth store the rest. Unabsorbed fluoride is excreted from your body when you urinate.