Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is released from the earth’s crust. It is found in our soil, water, air and some foods we eat or drink.
In the last hundred years, fluoride has been added to many water supplies in the United States. It is also found in dental products like toothpaste and mouthwash. Discover fluoride’s history, uses and benefits to dental health.
The History of Fluoride and Dental Health
The connection between fluoride and healthy teeth was first recognized by dentists when they began noticing lower numbers of dental caries (cavities) in those who drank water with naturally occurring fluoride.
In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first city to fluoridate its public water supply. After seeing fewer cavities in school-age children in Grand Rapids, adding fluoride to community water supplies received support.
Today, just over 75 years later, 63% of Americans receive fluoridated tap water. Adding fluoride to drinking water is a cost effective way for Americans to receive fluoride and reduce tooth decay.
Fluoridated water supplies were not the only source of fluoride added to everyday life. In 1956, Crest released the world’s first fluoride toothpaste. Today, your options for fluoridated dental products expand a whole aisle at the pharmacy or grocery store.
How does fluoride prevent cavities?
Fluoride has the benefit of preventing cavities in several unique ways. It has antimicrobial properties that repel the bacteria that cause cavities.
Fluoride also disturbs pH levels. Bacteria must maintain a neutral pH to survive and grow. When fluoride is present, the pH level is disturbed. This causes bacteria to use more energy to maintain a neutral pH and therefore have less energy to grow.
“Fluoride has a two-prong approach in preventing cavities: systemic and topical,” Terry Norris, DMD, the lead consulting dentist for HRI Dental & Vision, explains.
“Fluoride in municipal water systems works systemically on the inside of the tooth to strengthen a key mineral during tooth formation. Then, fluoride in toothpaste, mouthwash and water aid in decreasing the acidity of plaque and re-mineralizing damaged enamel to halt the progression of cavities and repair the damage.”
Getting Your Daily Dose of Fluoride
The best way to receive an adequate intake of fluoride is through a combination of the following channels:
- Fluoridated toothpaste: Look for toothpaste with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. The product must contain fluoride to receive the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
- Fluoridated mouthwash: Look for a mouthwash that contains fluoride. Many mouthwashes may contain breath-freshening agents but not fluoride.
- Fluoride varnish: Fluoride varnish is applied to your teeth at each six-month dental cleaning. This special varnish is designed to release fluoride slowly, better protecting your teeth until your next cleaning.
- Fluoridated water: Drink fluoridated water. Look online or contact your water utility provider to determine if your water is fluoridated. Some cities may add fluoride to their water source, while fluoride may be naturally occurring in other sources.
- A balanced diet: Fluoride is naturally occurring in many foods and drinks. Higher concentrations of fluoride are found in potatoes, apples, spinach, black tea, coffee and wine.
“An adequate amount of fluoride can be obtained systemically through fluoridated water and eating foods that contain fluoride such as fruits and vegetables. Topical amounts of fluoride are available through fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash. If your water is fluoridated there is no need for fluoride supplement drops,” Dr. Norris shares.
Is fluoride toxic or bad for my overall health?
Although rare, fluoride toxicity or overexposure can happen. “The main concern of too much fluoride occurs early in life, from infancy through early elementary school, when the teeth are forming prior to coming into the mouth,” Dr. Norris shares.
However, when used with supervision, fluoride is a powerful tool in promoting and maintaining good oral health in young children.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children begin using fluoridated toothpaste as soon as they get their first tooth. Just a rice-sized amount is recommended for children under three. Because such a small amount of toothpaste is used, it’s OK if they swallow it.
Then, beginning at three, most children may brush with a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste.
If you have concerns about getting too much or too little fluoride, contact your local health department. They can tell you if your water is fluoridated and if it falls within governmental guidelines. If it is not fluoridated, they can recommend a fluoride supplement and dosage amount.
Other Minerals That Promote Healthy Teeth
Minerals found in the foods we eat can contribute to strong teeth and healthy gums. Here are a few essential minerals to dental health:
- Calcium strengthens your bones and teeth.
- Vitamin D helps your body better absorb calcium and boosts bone mineral density.
- Potassium boosts your bone mineral density.
- Vitamin C protects against gum disease by strengthening your gums.
- Vitamin A aids in healing and strengthens enamel.
- Phosphorus works with calcium to produce hydroxyapatite (more on this later!).
These vitamins are found naturally in many of the foods we eat and can be supplemented if your diet doesn’t provide an adequate amount of each vitamin alone.
Dr. Norris emphasizes that for good health, including oral health, proper nutrition is important.
“One supplement alone will not deliver overall proper nutrition. A well-balanced diet is essential to overall health. The addition of supplements can be a non-essential addition in providing well rounded nutrition; however they are not a substitute,” Dr. Norris emphasizes.
Hydroxyapatite and Xylitol
In addition to the mentioned minerals, there are two other compounds known for promoting oral health: hydroxyapatite and xylitol.
Hydroxyapatite is a naturally occurring mineral that works to strengthen and repair your teeth. It neutralizes plaque and bacteria, helping to repair and re-mineralize the enamel.
Your body creates it naturally, but recently hydroxyapatite has been gaining popularity as an additive to dental care products. While more research needs to be done, initial findings indicate that it can be effective in strengthening enamel and reducing tooth sensitivity.
Xylitol is another compound that can enhance your oral health routine. It is a sugar alcohol that disrupts the growth of bacteria and their acid production, therefore decreasing your risk of cavities.
“Xylitol and hydroxyapatite offer complementary benefits for oral health. Xylitol helps prevent cavities by inhibiting bacteria, while hydroxyapatite directly strengthens and re-mineralizes enamel. Many oral care products combine both ingredients for optimal results,” Dr. Norris explains.
If you have questions or concerns about how your diet impacts your teeth, or what type of toothpaste or mouthwash you should be using, ask your dentist at your next appointment.
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851520/
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