Why do we need fluoride

We know that if a child ingests the fluoride-containing toothpaste, it could be too much fluoride to the developing tooth, causing fluorosis, which means white spots on the teeth and dark spots, even.

Interviewer: Especially for a young child. And I have heard that the recommendation there is a rice-sized bit of toothpaste for very young children? Interviewer: All right. And you've got to have that fluoride if you really want to maximize the chance that you're going to have good, healthy teeth for a long time. Okano: That is correct. It's very important to do your proper home care with your brushing and flossing at home.

Use of a fluoridated toothpaste is very beneficial for tooth decay, but it's all part of total dental health, and seeing your dentist regularly as he or she would recommend would very important to maintaining good dental health. Announcer: Have a question about a medical procedure? Want to learn more about a health condition? Check it out at TheScopeRadio. Subscribe to Our e-Newsletter.

Find a doctor or location close to you so you can get the health care you need, when you need it. Interviewer: Oh, I use a lot more than that. Interviewer: So you can use too much? Okano: Yes.

Okano: Between a rice-size and a pea-size. For Patients Find a doctor or location close to you so you can get the health care you need, when you need it. Fluoride helps to promote the process of remineralization and makes sure that the enamel which is replaced during the process is stronger and less susceptible to breakdown.

Fluoride also works against the destructive acid produced by plaque which is extremely important in preventing tooth decay. It does this by blocking some of the most harmful enzymes found in plaque and prevents them from producing the acid that weakens tooth enamel.

In children who consumed the suggested amount of fluoride, the grooves in their teeth, also known as fissures, were much shallower than those found in the teeth of children who did not have fluoride in their diet.

Shallower fissures mean that it is less likely that food particles and harmful bacteria will get stuck in the crevices and pits in the teeth that are difficult to clean. This can result in fewer cavities and a healthier mouth overall. The recommended dietary allowance for fluoride differs depending on your age, gender, and whether or not your drinking water has fluoride in it already.

In general, the amount of fluoride an adult female of 14 years of age or older should be consuming each day is 3 milligrams, while adult males of the same age range should be consuming 4 milligrams per day.

To compare how much fluoride is in your daily diet, consider that one conservative use of fluoridated toothpaste can contain between one and three milligrams of fluoride, depending on the brand and type of the toothpaste.

Keep in mind that the suggested amounts of fluoride above are concerned with how much fluoride should be consumed internally, and that when you use toothpaste you should absolutely not be swallowing it. The most effective way to ensure that you are introducing fluoride into your mouth, and one of the most important steps in general oral care, is to brush your teeth twice each day with fluoridated toothpaste.

All of these foods contain less than 0. Having a regular dental checkup every six months is also extremely important, not just because your mouth will be professionally cleaned, but also because you should receive a concentrated fluoride treatment each time. The treatment may come in the form of a flavoured foam or gel that is applied using dental trays or it may just be a rinse.

Over the past 50 years, there have been several reviews of the safety and effectiveness of water fluoridation schemes. Overall, these reviews found that water fluoridation appears to contribute to reduced tooth decay levels and doesn't seem to be associated with any significant health risks.

There have been some concerns that fluoride may be linked to a variety of health conditions. Reviews of the risks have so far found no convincing evidence to support these concerns. However, a condition called dental fluorosis can sometimes occur if a child's teeth are exposed to too much fluoride when they're developing. Read more about looking after children's teeth and looking after your baby's teeth. Mild dental fluorosis can be seen as very fine pearly white lines or flecking on the surface of the teeth.

Severe fluorosis can cause the tooth's enamel to become pitted or discoloured. It's uncommon in the UK for fluorosis to be severe enough to seriously affect the appearance of teeth. This is because fluoride levels in water are carefully monitored by the Drinking Water Inspectorate DWI and adjusted if necessary. Page last reviewed: 21 August Next review due: 21 August Tooth decay Tooth decay, also known as dental decay or dental caries, is a major health concern worldwide and is still a big problem in the UK.

Fluoride toothpaste Brushing your teeth thoroughly with fluoride toothpaste is one of the most effective ways of preventing tooth decay. Children under 3 years old should brush twice daily, with a smear of toothpaste containing at least 1,ppm fluoride.

Children between 3 and 6 years old should brush at least twice daily with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste containing more than 1,ppm fluoride. Adults should brush at least twice daily with a toothpaste containing 1,,ppm fluoride. Use it at an alternative time, because it washes away the fluoride in the toothpaste Read more about: looking after your baby's teeth children's teeth how to keep your teeth clean Fluoride dental treatments Fluoride mouth rinses Fluoride mouth rinses can be prescribed for adults and children aged 8 and above who have tooth decay.

Fluoride varnish Fluoride varnish can be applied to both baby teeth and adult teeth by a dentist. Community water fluoridation Most water supplies contain some fluoride and in the early 20th century, levels of tooth decay were found to be associated with fluoride levels in drinking water.

Community water fluoridation in England Around 5. Areas where water fluoridation schemes are currently in place include parts of: the West Midlands the North East the East Midlands Eastern England the North West Yorkshire and Humber In some parts of the country, such as parts of the North East and Midlands, the public water supply naturally contains a level of fluoride that's similar to that seen in schemes.