The fluoride is gotten when salts found in the fluorine get combined with minerals in the rocks and soils. Fluoride is very simple and easy to get, we may find it easily in the water, soil, and food. It also takes place in a natural way, within the human body and in teeth and bones. It should be added in toothpaste and public water system since it fights off the tooth decay. In this article, we’ll learn about fluoride facts and applications in details.
Fluorine, the elements from which we get fluoride, is at 13th position for being the most abundant element. It is released in the environment in both the air and water.
The #1 fluoride facts is, fluoride takes place naturally in the water. The community water fluoridation is an addition of the fluoride. This adjusts natural fluoride concentration in the water community to reach to the level recommended.
The 2nd fluoride facts is, Adults and children who have a low risk of suffering tooth decay; they will live cavity free life as far as they take a small level of the fluoride. You can achieve this by taking the fluoridated water or using the fluoride toothpaste.
Third fluoride facts is, adults and children who have higher chances of getting tooth decay, will benefit if they start using additional fluoride products together with dietary supplements, professionally applied varnishes, and mouth rinses.
Number 4 on the list of fluoride facts is, the main effect of fluoride takes place if a tooth had erupted over the gum. This is a topical effect which happens with a small level of fluoride. And it is maintained by dental plaque or saliva.
Fluoride does work through stopping and reversing the process of the tooth decay. It does keep the tooth enamel to be stronger and also solid through preventing the loss and enhancing re-attachment of some important mineral on the tooth enamel.
Consumption of the fluid like juice, soft drinks, and fluids, counts for 75 percent of the fluoride intake in the US
For the children who are still under six years old, they can develop the enamel fluorosis when they ingest more fluoride. Teeth becomes discolored and have white spots because of Enamel fluorosis. The source of too much fluoride is using too much toothpaste by children.
Fluoride does benefit the adults; it decreases cavities risk at the root surface and enamel crown. Using fluoride dental product and taking water, it helps people in maintaining the right level of oral health and people can keep their permanent teeth.
Uses of Fluoride
Fluoride makes tooth enamel even stronger and it replaces lost essential minerals in the teeth when they start decaying. Fluorinated toothpaste and water suppliers are effective and they have been said to help with the drop in the tooth decay and less cavity occurrence which took place for over 50 years now.
Normally, all water contains a small level of fluoride but such amount is not considered to be enough to prevent tooth decay. The right level of fluoride to prevent tooth decay should be up to 0.7miligrams for a liter. So that the water can reach this level, different municipal water system does add the fluoride on local drinking water and it is a process that we know as water fluoridation. The studies had shown that adding fluoride in the water helps prevent tooth decays at 25% in both adults and children.
When companies add fluoride to the toothpaste, it will help in strengthening the tooth enamel which is a hard surface at the tooth. It makes everything easy in preventing the tooth decay or gum disease which is normally caused by too much plaque.
Application of Fluoride
Fluoride is added to different water supply and it can be added into drinking water in many countries. You can also find it in some floss brands, varnishes, mouthwashes and gels, filling and cement and toothpaste. If your country doesn’t provide fluoridated water, then we recommend fluoride supplements. Other sources of fluoride are drugs which have perfluorinated compound, beverages, and food that people make in the water and which contains fluoride, stain resistant and waterproof items and pesticides.
Is it safe to take fluoride in the drinking water?
Most health authorities agree that there is no problem in adding fluoride in the water. Because scientists proved it to be safe and it offers many benefits to the public including babies and children.
Even if manufacturers had been adding fluoride to the water for many years in order to fight tooth decay, still some parents with consumers do have a concern. Depending on the CDC, effectiveness and the safety of water, scientific evidences backed by experts and independent scientists recommends fluoridation. There is no side effect that has been reported by now caused by fluoride in the water, but dental fluorosis which is a change in the cosmetic appearance that takes place on tooth enamel.
Is drinking bottled water help in getting the right level of fluoride
According to various reports, bottled water sometimes does not have the right level of fluoride. And this is important to promote oral health and to prevent the tooth decay. In case you are concerned about fluoride in the bottled water, then you have to contact the manufacturer or read the label to know the level of the fluoride content.
The difference between fluorine and fluoride
Some people may confuse about the difference between fluoride and fluorine. Element fluorine looks pale. It is a yellow gas that you may find in the crust of the earth naturally. It is reactive, which means that it will combine with every element found on the earth.
Fluoride is related to fluorine chemically. However, it does not have the same properties always since it is a new chemical compound. We get fluoride from the salts which happens if you combine fluorine with rocks and soil. Fluoride is normally stable and it is not reactive, contrary to fluorine. Other chemical compounds that contain fluoride ion, we call them fluorides such as sodium fluoride and calcium fluoride.