How does fluoride work?
What is the best way to get fluoride?
What are sources of fluoride?
What is fluorosis?
Fluoride article
  
 
 
Thumb-sucking Q & A
   
ask Dr. Thoa
Guaranteed Fun!
|
FLUORIDE
Introduction
Children today are getting fewer cavities because
of sealants; fluoridated water, fluoridated toothpaste, and regular
check ups at their dentist. Back in 1900’s, a dentist in
Colorado noticed in his young patients staining on their teeth, and
the lack of cavities. After some research, it was discovered
that fluoride in the water was protecting teeth, but in excess
causes stains called fluorosis. Fluorided water has been
the biggest component in the fight against cavities, but water is
not the only source of fluoride. Read on to discover where
else you can get fluoride.
How does fluoride work?
Fluoride has specificity to mineralizing tissues
like bone and developing teeth. When optimal fluoride is
ingested, it is absorbed in the blood and deposited in bones or
teeth. The kidney excretes the excess. Fluoride
replaces the enamel hydroxyapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2]
with fluorapatite [Ca10(PO4)6F2].
As you can see, the calcium remains in the enamel crystals, the
incorporation of fluoride (F) causes the enamel to with stand
breakdown by acids. These acids are created by the cavity
causing bacteria, plaque.
The fluoride you ingest (at levels of
1.0-0.6ppm), is also incorporated in your saliva. This has 3
benefits:
1.
Has antibacterial properties at low pH, it interferes with
the enzymes that break sugar into acids.
2.
The fluoride inhibits the breakdown of the calcium and
phosphate on your enamel in areas of demineralization (beginning of
a cavity).
3.
It enhances the remineralization of enamel by helping calcium
and phosphate adhere to the enamel surface, and hardening the tooth.
Fluoride has been proven to provide more
protection on smooth surfaces, like front teeth, or between teeth,
than on posterior biting surfaces (occlusal pits and fissures).
Developing enamel in the front permanent teeth are most susceptible
to fluoride in the late secretory or early maturation phase, which
is 1-to-3 years old. The rest of the permanent teeth continue
to incorporate fluoride until the last teeth are formed (8-10 years
old).
What is the best way to get fluoride?
You can get fluoride in two ways:
systemically (swallowed and then the body absorbs it into the
system) and topically (applied to the surface of the tooth).
We obtain fluoride systemically when the food or liquid containing
fluoride is swallowed. The fluoride consumed is absorbed in
the body by the teeth and bones. Topical fluoride application
can be from: fluoride treatments at the dentist, toothpaste,
fluoride rinses (i.e. ACTâ or Fluoriguardâ), or saliva. These
various forms facilitate the absorption of fluoride directly into
tooth enamel.
Systemic and topical fluoride can be used
individually or in combination to help strengthen teeth against
decay.
What are the
different sources of fluoride?
Water is not the only source of fluoride; you can
consume optimum amounts from your diet. Here are some of the
foods and beverages that contain fluoride: fruits, vegetables,
chicken, infant cereals, ready to drink juices, and canned goods.
In an article by Dr.'s Loos titled, “Considering Fluoride
Concentrations in Commercial Juice Drinks”, they reported white
grape juice containing on average 1.45 ppm (mg of Fluoride/L) of
fluoride, and prune, cranberry, tea, red grape, cherry and
apple-grape juice containing on average about 0.60 ppm. The
optimal level of fluoride in water is 1.00 ppm and these juices
either exceed or are comparable to this. Juices can contribute
to your total fluoride intake from diet, even if your water is
non-fluoridated.
One of the major components of a fluoride-diet is
toothpaste. If used twice a day, it can provide 30-50%
(depending on the amount of toothpaste used) of your total fluoride
intake.
If you and your family have a healthy diet that
includes juices, and you are using toothpaste on a routine basis,
then you should be receiving adequate amounts of fluoride in your
diet. In order to make teeth strong from fluoride, it needs to
be consumed in low concentrations at consistent times. Taking
supplemental fluoride can be more harmful than beneficial,
especially when your total fluoride intake from diet and toothpaste
is not being accounted. By having an acceptable diet and daily
brushing is far more beneficial than taking fluoride tablets or
drops in bulk. Excess fluoride can cause something called
fluorosis.
What is dental fluorosis?
It is a dental
condition of the permanent teeth, marked by varying degrees of
intrinsic white spots, brown stains, or pitted-rough enamel.
Fluorosis is caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of fluoride
during the development of the permanent teeth (birth to eight years
old). This condition is an aesthetic concern for the child’s
permanent teeth. To minimize the risk of fluorosis, have your
water checked before taking fluoride prescription, and use a
pea-size or less of toothpaste on your child’s toothbrush.
|
