Fluoride is an illusive substance for many people because they know they consume it in their drinking water, but they aren’t entirely sure why. With countless conspiracy theories out there, your dentist wants to set the things straight and let you in on what fluoride is and how it has improved the oral health of two-thirds of the U.S. population, according to the CDC. Read on to get the facts about fluoride and learn how it’s helping keep your smile cavity-free.
What Exactly is Fluoride?
The best place to start to understand fluoride is the basics. This mineral is actually an ionic compound of the element fluorine that’s naturally found in many rocks as well as water sources, like springs. According to the CDC, about 95 percent of the fluoride added to community water systems comes from phosphorite rock. It’s added at a concentration of about one part per million. This mineral can also be found in other natural areas as well, including our bones and teeth (in the form of calcium fluoride), soil, air, and fresh vegetables as well.
When Was Fluoride Added to Public Drinking Water?
The first city to begin adding fluoride to their public water supply was Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1945. However, the connection between fluoride and oral health was known far before that, in the 1800s. Throughout the 1930s and 40s, the US National Institutes of Health began investigating how fluoride works, whether it’s safe to use, and if it could be used in other therapeutic ways. Finally, they concluded that drinking water with fluoride in it could help protect people of all ages from dental decay.
Why Was Fluoride Added to Public Water Sources?
You’re probably asking yourself, “If fluoride can naturally be found in water, then why do we need to add more of it to public water supplies?” Even though natural water does have some fluoride in it, it’s too little of an amount to prevent tooth decay. Through years of research and thorough investigations, researchers found that adding more fluoride is completely safe and helps reduce cavity development by 25 percent. That’s why professionals recommend opting for fluoridated tap water instead of bottled water!
How Does Fluoride Prevent Decay?
Fluoride is known to strengthen your enamel, which is the outermost layer of your teeth that protects the more vulnerable inner structures, like the dentin. When your saliva has fluoride in it after you drink a glass of water or brush with fluoridated toothpaste, your teeth take the mineral in and teams up with calcium and phosphate to help build a structure that’s stronger than bone, called fluorapatite. The end result is that you have a trustworthy defense system against one of the leading oral health problems in the nation, cavities.
To learn more about fluoride and how receiving it from your dentist if you don’t get enough of it in your daily diet can help boost your oral health, just ask your dentist at your next checkup and cleaning!
About the Author
Dr. Rodger Song has over 30 years of experience helping families improve their oral health and stay cavity-free by providing thorough and effective preventive dental care. He loves getting to know everyone that walks through his doors and understand the unique problems they may face so he can provide them with the ideal treatments. He values creating a healthcare environment that’s honest and trustworthy as well. If it has been longer than six months since your family last visited a dentist nearby, you can visit our website or call 972-906-9797 to schedule an appointment.