What Is Floride? Fluoride occurs naturally in soil, water, and air. Fluoride strengthens the tooth's enamel, the tough outer layer. Fluoride is present in tap water in communities that add it to their public water system, as well as in fluoride toothpaste mouth rinse, and certain foods and beverages. Dentists can choose between fluoride varnish or gel to safeguard teeth in dental practices. Fluoride effectively prevents tooth decay at any age, benefiting both children and adults. Advantages of Fluoride. Improve Dental Health - Fluoride is widely recognized for its positive impact on dental health. It strengthens tooth enamel, offering enhanced defense against tooth decay. Moreover, it reduces acid production by the bacteria on your teeth. Tooth Development - Fluoride given to children during tooth development leads to less deep grooves in their teeth. Removing plaque becomes easier with this. Plaque is a thin layer of bacteria that forms on your teeth. Dental Caries - Decades of research have shown that adding fluoride to water can significantly reduce decay rates by 40 to 60 percent. Is there sufficient fluoride in my water supply? Regrettably, only a few locations have enough natural fluoride to support dental health. Additionally, it is included in water in various other places. The fluoride content in water varies depending on where you live. Fluoride is present in some foods and beverages, like fish and tea. In certain countries, table salt and milk are supplemented with fluoride as an alternative to water supplies. Tea can contain a small amount of fluoride. That's correct! The fluoride content can vary between 0.3 milligrams and 0.5 milligrams. Adding milk to your tea can provide your teeth with some extra calcium. Quite interesting, isn't it? To reduce the risk of tooth decay, it's best to drink unsweetened tea. Are there any possible adverse reactions associated with fluoride? Although fluoride is a naturally occurring compound, it can still have negative effects when consumed in large amounts. Some of the rare side Effects:- Dental Fluorosis Consuming too much fluoride while your teeth are developing beneath your gums can result in dental fluorosis. White spots may develop on your teeth. Other than the presence of white spots, dental fluorosis does not cause any noticeable symptoms or negative effects. Usually, it only affects young children who are still developing their permanent teeth. It's worth noting that toothpaste has a higher concentration of fluoride than fluoridated water, increasing the risk of accidental ingestion in children. It's important to closely monitor your child's tooth brushing to reduce the risk of dental fluorosis. By doing this, you can make sure they avoid consuming too much toothpaste. Skeletal Fluorosis Skeletal fluorosis primarily impacts the bones, much like dental fluorosis affects the teeth. Typical symptoms of the condition include joint pain and reduced range of motion. With time, bones can change their structure and ligaments may calcify. Prolonged exposure to elevated levels of fluoride, often present in drinking water, can result in this phenomenon. Water may contain excessive fluoride due to various factors, including accidental contamination from fires or explosions. Water sources in specific areas of Africa and Asia may become contaminated as a result of elevated fluoride levels present in the geological deposits. If You Want to prevent your teeth from getting caries, contact us for more updates on Flouride treatment DENTAPEX DENTAL CLINIC, MUTHANALLURU CROSS, MARATHALLI-SARJAPUR ROAD, DOMMASANDRA, BANGALORE 8369169473