Today's article is brought to you by Dentista Dental Centre, the place to look after your smile - your Dentist Noranda and Dentist Morley.

The topic of Fluoride has been a bit of a controversial one for many decades. Why is there fluoride in water? Should I get a fluoride water filter or a fluoride filter? Is fluoride in toothpaste good or bad? Is getting fluoride at the dentist a scam? The following article attempts to give you firstly the facts... what fluoride is, how it's formed and what it's used for in dentistry. We then go into the advantages and disadvantages of fluoride, and there can be disadvantages! Finally we ask the question... is fluoride worth the possible disadvantages to your health? Find out these questions and more in Dentista's look at fluoride.

What Is Fluoride? Uses, Benefits,

Many foods naturally contain the mineral fluoride, which is also available as a nutritional supplement. It is the ionic form of fluoride that slows or reverses the onset and development of tooth decay.

Fluoride may be found in the soil, fluoride in water, plants, and food. Fluoridated water, food and drink produced with fluoridated water, and paste and other dental goods constitute the majority of the fluoride individuals eat.

Common types of fluoride

• sodium fluoride (NaF)

• stannous fluoride (SnF2)

Sodium fluoride. Dentifrices (a tooth-cleaning agent in the form of powders, paste, or liquid) and mouthwashes frequently include sodium fluoride (NaF), a fluoride salt. In order to get the protective advantage, sodium fluoride must be formulated with an abrasive that is compatible with fluoride ions. Fluoride dentifrices using NaF and calcium abrasives were the first to be developed, but they had no anticaries effect. These formulae were investigated and shown to be therapeutically effective against caries in the 1980s when silica abrasives compatible with sodium fluoride became available.

Stannous fluoride. It is an inorganic salt and a fluoride salt, stannous fluoride. For the protection of cavities, stannous fluoride (also known as Tn(II) fluoride) is widely found in toothpastes. It may also be used to alleviate oral hypersensitivity. It has been shown that stannous fluoride, despite its similarity to sodium fluoride, is more effective in halting and reversing dental decay than sodium fluoride. Dentists may use it to keep teeth healthy by controlling the composition of dental plaque, which helps to reduce the risk of tooth decay from developing in the first place.

Fluoride is used for what?

Fluoride is primarily utilised to promote oral health in the context of human health. Your water supply may include it (Australia places fluoride in water), as well as numerous over-the-counter (OTC) items, such as toothpaste.

• toothpaste
• mouthwash
• topical applications like tooth mousse

Prescription mouth rinses containing fluoride may help prevent cavities if you're prone to them. Fluoride concentrations in these rinses are often greater than in over-the-counter choices.

Additionally, fluoride is employed:

• in PET(Positron emission tomography) scans.
• to remove dirt and grime
• the use of insecticides
• manufacturing steel, aluminum and Teflon goods

What are the benefits of fluoride

Public water sources and toothpaste and mouthwash include fluoride as a preventative measure against tooth decay.

Among fluoride's advantages are the following:

Protects Your Enamel

For many, fluoride treatments are recognised for their ability to preserve a patient's tooth enamel. The enamel on your tooth might erode if you drink acidic substances often. Teeth become increasingly sensitive to common activities like drinking warm, heated, or cold beverages when the enamel wears away. There are several fruit juices with high acid content. Some of the most well-known ones include lemonade or lemonade soda and a variety of tomato, grape, orange, and apple juices. Having teeth that are exceptionally sensitive might cause discomfort at any time. You may minimise the sensitivity of your teeth by brushing with fluoride toothpaste and having fluoride treatments at the dentist clinic. Using fluoride may help protect teeth and enamel against acids and bacteria that cause them. Fluoride, in particular, protects the enamel against deterioration, hence lowering the sensitivity of teeth. So fluoride is good for teeth.

Puts Minerals Back In Your Teeth

Your teeth are damaged by acid in more ways than one. In addition, the minerals that make up your teeth are destroyed, causing the structure of your teeth to crumble. Calcium and phosphate, two minerals, are essential for strong teeth. Teeth become weak and damaged as a result of acid erosion of the enamel. Teeth loss may lead to serious health issues, such as tooth decay and gum disease.

Fluoride works by replenishing your teeth's mineral content. Known as remineralization, it is a process that aids in the restoration of injured teeth. Maintaining strong, healthy teeth requires remineralization! This means the teeth's calcium and phosphorus levels are restored when fluoride is used.

Prevents Tooth Decay and Cavities

Everyone has bacteria in their mouth. Bacteria are able to make acid by consuming carbohydrates and starches, and this acid damages the enamel. When fluoride treatments aren't used to counteract this process, the acid starts to erode your teeth. Dental deterioration and cavities may be treated with fluoride. A point here for fluoride good for teeth

You're far less likely to have cavities or tooth decay if you use fluoridated toothpaste and get regular fluoride treatments. It's crucial to keep in mind that dental decay and cavities impact adults as well as youngsters. As a result, getting fluoride treatments on a regular basis should be a top priority for everyone concerned about tooth decay. Community water systems may also include fluoride. Everyone in the family can benefit from fluoride in water.

Saves You Money

The expense of dental work is well-known. In the long term, fluoride treatment is the greatest approach to save money. Fluorides may be applied to the skin or absorbed via the digestive system.

Fluoride is given directly to your teeth's enamel using topical fluorides. Fluoride paste, mouthwash, tooth mousse and dental office treatments may be used to accomplish this. Fluoride treatments are commonplace during dental cleanings and are usually totally covered through private health insurance. Value for money in terms of protective effect, it's hard to argue that there is one at the dentist more than the fluoride treatment that is offered to patients after their scale and clean.

Fluorides that are ingested are known as systemic fluorides. When a community has a fluoride water supply, this treatment may be completed simply with a glass of fluoride water. Dietary fluoride supplements are another way to provide fluorides to the body. This is not needed however in Australia which has fluoride in water.

The best approach to keep your teeth healthy and avoid costly dental operations is to utilise both types of fluoride treatments.

Provides A Natural Preventative

Fluoride's last and most important advantage is that it protects your teeth from decay. Throughout the seas and the earth's subsurface, fluoride may be found in naturally occurring quantities. Examples include the earth's crust itself, water and apples, almonds and tea. Fluoride levels in our drinking water may be regulated via water fluoridation, which allows us to keep our teeth and gums healthy.

It's has been classed as safe and a good technique to protect our teeth from potential harm. so this closes the advantages for - fluoride good for teeth.

Disadvantage of Fluoride

Fluoride although, has had many controversies associated with it. Although touted as a miracle of public health, there are some reasons people are a bit dubious about fluoride. For starters, fluoride in water actually comes through as a by- product of fertilizer! The historian Frank Zelko stated that it was conveniently a ‘profitable way to put the use of a waste by-product from the production of fertiliser’ into public water. Unlike pharmaceutical grade fluoride in your toothpaste, the fluoride in your tap water is actually untreated industrial waste.

The map below shows the world and those countries which have fluoride in the populations tap water. Credit for the map is linked by clicking the map

So as the map shows, really only Australia, Ireland, Singapore, Brazil and the USA put fluoride in water. The majority of Europe however, have chosen not to put fluoride in water. The interesting thing to note is that whether there has been fluoride in water or not... the result to caries or dental cavities has declined the same in countries whether they have or haven't used fluoride in water! So there could be an argument that the fluoride in water in terms of dental health has really not been necessary. Does that mean however that you should go out and purchase a fluoride water filter? The vast history of fluoride in water and the lack of any evidence showing that fluoride in water is harming your health however, simply is not there. From this can we state that fluoride in any quantity (ie in tooth paste or at the dental clinic) is safe?

It's crucial to keep in mind that although modest amounts of fluoride are good for teeth, high quantities of fluoride are bad for health with conditions occurring such as fluorosis (the condition of having too much fluoride in the body). White spots on teeth, a mottled enamel, and inadequate mineralization are all symptoms of dental fluorosis. Fluorosis is most often seen in children under the age of ten who have been exposed to excessive amounts of fluoride. Fluorosis is more likely to occur in children between the ages of six and nine, while their teeth are still developing. Thus high quantities of fluoride is bad for kids. As a result, parents and caregivers should take precautions to limit the fluoride-related risks.

Fluorosis-Related Health Issues:

Skeletal Fluorosis

Exposure to excessive quantities of fluoride may induce skeletal fluorosis, a condition that affects the bones. Bones become harder and less pliable as a result of this condition, increasing the risk of fractures. The thickening and build-up of bone tissue may also impede joint mobility as a result of the condition, so excessive quantities of fluoride is bad for bones.

Fluoride and Thyroid

The thyroid gland may be damaged by excessive fluoride exposure, leading to an overactive production of parathyroid hormones. Hyperparathyroidism is the medical term for this illness. Deficiency of calcium in bones leads to abnormally high quantities of calcium in the bloodstream.

Neurological Problems

Fluoride exposure prior to birth has been linked to a decrease in a child's cognitive ability. According to a study released in 2017, high levels of fluoride were associated with lower IQ scores. As a neurotoxin, fluoride poses a risk to a child's growth and development, as well.

Fluoride and Pineal Gland

It is possible for the pineal gland to also develop calcium spots as discussed earlier with respect to fluorosis. Fluoride in water, along with pesticides actually accumulates the most in the pineal gland compared to any other part of the body. Thus there is a link between fluoride and pineal gland. The question again is is this coming and being significant from fluoride in water?

How Much Fluoride Should be Given to People:

Fluoride is measured as parts per million (PPM). Currently in Australia the following is considered safe and effective for cavity prevention.

Children to the age of 3 -1000 parts per million

Above the age of 3 - 1350 - 1500 parts per million

In Australia the average toothpaste contains between 1000ppm - 1500ppm. This is deemed as healthy and no risk. Still it is advised that you do not swallow toothpaste. Swallowing this amount of fluoride on a daily or even twice daily basis can lead possibly to fluorosis.

How much fluoride is in the water in Australia? 1.5 parts per million (note the minuscule amount compared to the amount of fluoride in toothpaste)

Topical Fluoride

Most of the dental ways we get our fluoride from are through topical fluoride. The advantage of this is that we don't ingest the fluoride and thus can avoid most of the potential disadvantages of fluoride treatment. The other advantage of this is that we can use much higher doses of fluoride to help with the benefits for teeth. Typical Fluoride treatments include

• toothpaste
• Dental clinic application of fluoride
• tooth mousse application

Toothpaste

The one we all know and have probably used all of our lives. Whilst they vary in strength of fluoride, the average toothpaste in Australia has approximately between 1000ppm and 15000ppm.

Dental Clinic Application of Fluoride

Most dental clinics such as Dentista use a moose application of fluoride. Typically this is added after a scale and clean when your teeth have been cleaned and are able to best absorb the fluoride. Dental moose for in chair fluoride treatment as an average in Australia delivers

Tooth Mousse Application

Tooth mousse is a way for you as a consumer to purchase a stronger fluoride treatment for your teeth, and do so in a topical way in the comfort of your own home. Tooth moose contains approximately 900ppm level of fluoride. Tooth Mousse should not be swallowed. Remember that we don't just take tooth mousse solely for fluoride, it also has 2 important minerals for teeth, namely calcium and phosphorous.

Prevention of Fluorosis

Many disorders, including fluorosis, may be avoided by ensuring not too much fluoride is ingested (swallowed). Because ingested toothpaste adds to a child's fluoride intake, parents must take care that their children do not swallow toothpaste during brushing,. It's recommended young children that cannot spit use tooth paste with no fluoride. A low fluoride tooth paste (less than 500ppm) is used until about 6 years of age.

There is no need to take fluoride tablets that are swallowed. The beneficial action of Fluoride is topical (i.e. touching the teeth). If you take fluoride tablets while your teeth are still forming under the gum the excessive fluoride can be taken up into the growing enamel. This can cause flurosis which is white or brown mottling to the enamel.

Fluoride poisoning may be reduced by monitoring the fluoride content of drinking water, particularly if you have small children. Private well owners should get their water tested for fluoride levels at least once a year. Dentists suggest 0.7- 1.5 fluoride per million water units for optimal dental health.

In the end, fluoride is a vital part of the body's ecosystem, but there is a limit, as there is with other things.

Conclusion on Fluoride

The general health and cavity level of teeth has improved drastically since the wide spread implementation in the world of fluoride. There is no question that most of the general adult population should be using fluoride treatment when they brush their teeth in the form of toothpaste or tooth mousse. Also essential and one that will cost you very little if you have private health insurance, is to get a fluoride treatment at the dentist when you get your twice yearly check up. These actions will help prevent cavities and improve the overall health of your teeth. Where waters start to get murky (pardon the pun) is when you go from putting the fluoride on topically to your teeth, to drinking the fluoride in tap water. All research that has currently been done and a sample size in the hundreds of millions, over decades has shown that the very small amount of fluoride that is present in the tap water, does not do any harm to your long term health. Does it do any good though? That is not an easy question to answer, but as we saw in the map and comparison between countries that do and don't have fluoride in the water... the results and decline in cavities have been the same. Therefore we must conclude that any benefit of drinking tap water with fluoride is very minimum, but at the same time won't do you any harm. Book in your fluoride treatment when you next visit the dentist... it's safe and will help protect your teeth for years to come. Find your Dentist Morley and Dentist Noranda today with Dentista Dental Centre where we look after your smile one tooth at a time!