Everything You Need to Know About Fluoride

A beautiful smile is great, but a healthy smile is even better. Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, plays a vital role in protecting your teeth. It helps keep the enamel—the hard outer layer of your teeth—strong, which in turn helps prevent cavities and tooth decay.

The Power of Fluoride

When you eat, the bacteria in your mouth break down sugars and carbs, creating acid. This acid can wear away the minerals in your tooth enamel, a process called demineralisation. Fluoride works to combat this by remineralising your enamel, effectively strengthening this protective layer.

According to Dr. Jeffrey Sulitzer, SmartSmileCo’s Chief Clinical Officer, fluoride can be used in two ways. “It can be used in toothpaste and oral rinses to strengthen teeth from the outside in,” he says. “It can also be used as a vitamin supplement, by prescription from your dentist or physician, to strengthen teeth from the inside out.”

The History of Fluoride

The benefits of fluoride were first discovered in the 1920s when it was noticed that children in Oakley, Idaho, had fewer cavities after their town started using water from a new spring rich in fluoride. This led to the widespread practice of adding fluoride to community water sources. Today, research shows that fluoride in water can prevent about 25% of tooth decay in both adults and children.

Using Fluoride Safely and Effectively

Fluoride is safe when used in the correct amounts, and its benefits are well-documented. Fluoride toothpaste is the most common way to get its benefits. Dr. Sulitzer stresses that it is “the first step in maintaining good oral health.”

After brushing with fluoride toothpaste, always remember to spit and rinse. While some people prefer non-fluoride toothpastes, they do not offer the same protection against bacteria and demineralisation. Dr. Sulitzer advises that, unless a doctor recommends otherwise, “people of all ages should use toothpaste with fluoride to clean and protect their oral health.”

There are several types of fluoride toothpaste that cater for vegans, gluten-sensitive, and contain no artificial flavours or preservatives – so there are no excuses! Some include whitening and cavity defence, while others are for sensitive teeth, designed to protect against sensitivity while hardening enamel.

Do you have any other questions about fluoride or dental health? Let us know.