Fluoride can be the biggest discussion starter when it comes to oral hygiene, and it is likely you’ve already heard both sides of the story. One side is that fluoride is not necessary or needed, and the other is that fluoride is great for your oral health.
The truth is, when used correctly, fluoride is not a threat to your health. It actually has huge benefits to your oral health and will help to protect your teeth against cavities.
What is fluoride?
Fluoride is a mineral that is naturally found in water, soil and certain foods. It is abundant and commonly found. Synthetic fluoride is made to add to drinking water and oral hygiene products like toothpaste and mouthwash.
Many areas in the world add fluoride to their public water supply, this is called ‘water fluoridation. It can greatly reduce the amount of tooth decay the population experiences, especially in children.
What dental products contain fluoride?
Fluoride is in products like toothpaste, mouthwash, some types of tooth floss, tooth cement and fillings, and varnishing products. It is used in these products because it can help to prevent tooth decay by around 20-40%. Using fluoride in dental products can save everyone both time and money from teeth restoration procedures.
How does fluoride protect our teeth?
Fluoride helps protect our teeth from tooth decay by doing the following:
- Altering the way enamel develops in children under 7. Meaning it will be more resistant to acid attack.
- Creating an environment in our mouths where better enamel can form, giving us better resistance to acid attack.
- Lowering the amount of acid that the bacteria in plaque can produce.
Together, all these benefits will overall protect and strengthen enamel, preventing tooth decay and leading to fewer dental issues.
Are there any risks with using fluoride?
As with anything you put in your body, moderation is key. Whilst fluoride has great benefits, there are some negative side effects from consuming too much. We often don’t need to worry about this as the water fluoridation levels are regulated, and oral hygiene products contain safe amounts.
The negative side effects you could potentially experience from too much fluoride during day to day life are only cosmetic, such as white streaks or spots on teeth. They will eventually fade over time.
Overall, the guaranteed benefits of using fluoride outweigh the potential risk – so don’t be afraid of it!
