Tooth Fluoridation
Fluoride is an element whose presence in the teeth strengthens their structure and protects them from caries (tooth decay). Fluoride is built into the structure of the tooth mainly while the teeth are still forming: from birth, when the milk teeth are going through the mineralisation process, up to the age of about 12, when the permanent teeth have finished forming. This is why getting the right amount of fluoride is especially important during this period.
Fluoride can be taken in two ways:
- Systemically, through foods that contain fluoride, fluoridated water and, if needed, fluoride tablets.
- Topically, by brushing with fluoride toothpastes and rinsing with fluoride mouthwashes, or through the professional application of fluoride gels or varnishes by the dentist.
How does fluoride help prevent tooth decay?
Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay through several mechanisms:
- It is built into the structure of the tooth, making it more resistant to the acids produced by bacteria.
- It prevents the loss of minerals from the tooth enamel and promotes its remineralisation, strengthening the tooth structure where decay has only just begun.
- It acts on the bacteria that cause tooth decay, neutralising their effect on the tooth enamel.