Fluoride

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Fluoride can considerably benefit dental health by strengthening the tooth enamel, making it more resistant to acid attacks that can cause tooth decay. It also reduces the ability of plaque bacteria to produce acid. Children who have fluoride when their teeth are developing tend to have shallower grooves in their teeth, which means that plaque can be more easily removed.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in many foods, and is also added to some drinking water supplies. A level of one part of fluoride for every million parts of water (1 ppm) has been shown to be most beneficial.

All water contains some fluoride. Your local water supplier is able to tell you the level of fluoride in your drinking water.

Children living in underprivileged areas where the water supplies are not fluoridated can have five times more decay than children living in more affluent or fluoridated areas. Research suggests that fluoridated water is the most effective way of reducing these dental inequalities.

Your dentist or dental hygienist can apply topical fluorides during dental visits. These are gels and are more concentrated than the self-applied fluorides, and therefore are not needed as frequently. Some adults can benefit from these applications. Fluoride gels can help to reduce root decay, especially in people with dry mouth.

Some people are more prone to dental decay, in which case the dentist may also advise the use of fluoride supplements in addition to fluoride toothpaste for extra protection. It is very important that fluoride supplements are only taken on the advice and instruction of a dentist. They are suitable for children from about three years of age and can help reduce decay.

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