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Fluoride is a familiar substance for most of us; we encounter it at the dentist’s office, in our toothpastes and mouthwashes, and we’re told to specifically look for products that contain this material in order to maintain a healthy smile and keep effective oral hygiene. But beyond its intense flavor and funny name, we tend to let fluoride live on as a mystery, able to impact our oral health, but otherwise not too interesting. In fact fluoride is both a fascinating and contentious topic, with many aspects in both health, public policy, and the natural world that may surprise you if you’ve never investigated the substance before. For instance, did you know that fluoride is derived from the thirteenth most abundant substance on Earth?

Fluoride proliferation on Earth extends to it natural presence in much of the world’s water supply and in certain foods, from fish and meats to eggs and certain teas. In trace amounts, this important substance is found throughout nature and is consumed on a regular basis by most of the planet’s creatures. Fluoride is a negative ion of the element Fluorine, and is distinguished by its retention of an extra electron, which gives it a negative charge and bestows the particular attributes of fluoride on the material.

If there’s anything that most people can unanimously agree on when it comes to fluoride, it’s probably the taste involved in receiving a treatment at a dentist’s office during the regular course of a preventive dentistry appointment. Topical fluoride applications are a primary delivery method which takes advantage of the material’s ability to prevent tooth decay. The substance is absorbed by the teeth and bones, where it prevents acid created by oral bacteria and the sugars found in nearly all foods and drinks from attacking the tooth’s enamel. Because its primary action involves protecting teeth from the outside, fluoride is not very effective at addressing existing cavities or other significant tooth decay, and should not be used as a “treatment” for such problems.

Aside from applications at the dentist’s, fluoride is obtained through the use of most toothpastes, mouthwashes, and other over-the-counter dental hygiene and maintenance products. Additionally, some communities add fluoride to their drinking water in an effort to ensure that members receive an intake on par with nationally recommended levels. While this abundance of fluoride can be beneficial for some people, including children, whose incoming permanent teeth can take advantage of fluoride’s protective actions, many people are concerned about fluoride’s widespread presence. Arguing for the ability to choose both natural and dental hygiene products that are free of added fluoride, opponents of fluoride use are typically concerned about unintended overconsumption due to poor understanding about the proliferation of the substance. Too much fluoride, of course, can be a bad thing; the key to getting great benefits from fluoride application and ingestion without overdoing it is being aware of your intake levels, and discussing any concerns you may have with your dentist or medical professional. The team at Austin Tx clinic Jollyville Dental, as well as practices elsewhere in Texas and throughout the US can help you assess how much fluoride is right for you.

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For a Dentist in Austin TX:
Jollyville Dental Professionals
11672 Jollyville Rd
Austin, TX 78759-3935
(512) 918-0005