What is Fluoride good for?
95% of all the Fluoride within the body is used in the building of bones and teeth. The rest can be found in the skin, hair and nails. Apatite is a mineral that is comprised of Calcium Phosphate and Calcium Fluoride or Calcium Hydroxide.
Fluoride guarantees the solidness of tooth enamel, which is almost entirely made up of Hydroxylapatite making the teeth strong and resistant. It primarily protects the teeth against acids and bacteria, which are responsible for tooth decay.
Fluoride enters the system via the meals we consume everyday. Tap water, mineral water and some types of black tea provide most of our Fluoride requirements but meat, especially chicken, and fish such as oily sardines contain this important trace element as well.
Most mineral water producers swear and advertise that their water is 100% natural and pure, yet only a few kinds contain Fluoride though laymen would probably think differently.
This is why drinking water containing Fluoride is beneficial; moreover, obtaining it from the tap is far more convenient not to mention cheaper. By switching to bottled water the and regular and long term benefits of Fluoride are lost, resulting in adults and children becoming more susceptible to tooth decay.
Our daily Fluoride requirements depend on gender and age. 0.25-0.5 mg is required for infants and 0.7-3.2 mg for children up to the age of fifteen. From the age of 15 onwards women need 2.9-3.1 mg per day and men 3.2-3.8 mg.
In summary, it is extremely important to supply the body with sufficient Fluoride (sources: toothpaste, mineral water, tap water) because it infiltrates the surface of the teeth as a replacement for hydroxide ions, thus protecting the underlying structure. It protects the surface of the teeth, helps fight tooth decay and prevents bacteria (streptococcus) from spreading while enhancing the bone’s mechanical qualities.
It is obviously unadvisable to go to extremes as too much fluoride can lead to an overdose equating to poisoning.
If you have any problems with your teeth, Tibor Dental can sort it out. Contact us for a consultation or you can just simply call us to have a conversation about your dental situation.
It is good to know!
Children should brush their teeth with toothpaste that is made especially for them as regular toothpastes for adults contain too much fluoride for children.
