How Fluoride Protects the Teeth

Fluoride has been added to the water in Ireland since around 1960, as set out in the Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) Act 1960. Despite a certain amount of opposition from bodies who are against water fluoridation, this is still considered to be the most efficient method of ensuring the prevention of tooth decay in the wider population.

The decision to add fluoride to the water supply was taken following studies conducted in the 1930s in Michigan in the US. These showed a 50% reduction in cavities and decay in children in that area compared to areas which had not been fluoridated. With this in mind, it’s no wonder that it’s also used in toothpastes and mouth washes. 

What is fluoride and can you get it elsewhere?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring trace mineral and is present in some foods and drinks including:

• Grapes and raisins
• Some fruits including strawberries, bananas and watermelon
• Vegetables including spinach and potatoes
• Some seafood
• Black tea and coffee

However, it’s important to remember that the levels of fluoride in these foods won’t be enough to protect your oral health.

How fluoride works

Your dentist will probably have mentioned that fluoride protects teeth by strengthening the enamel and making it more resistant to attack from acids in food and drink, sugary foods and plaque caused by bacteria. It does this through:

• Remineralisation – fluoride encourages the uptake of minerals from food and drink such as calcium and phosphate to help prevent tooth decay
• Acid resistance – fluoride makes tooth enamel more resistant to the harmful acids in food and drink to help reduce the development of cavities
• Inhibiting bacteria – fluoride can slow down or stop altogether bacteria from feeding on the sugar which produces the acids that cause tooth decay and cavities

What are the benefits of fluoride?

Fluoride is of the greatest benefit to children who tend to have shallower grooves on the teeth which means that plaque deposits are less likely to stick and are more easily removed by the dentist when they do. Water fluoridation has been extensively proven over 60 years to significantly reduce the onset of tooth decay. Allowing children to use toothpaste containing fluoride is as essential as encouraging them to avoid excessive sugar consumption in the early years.

How does tooth decay affect you?

Teeth decay occurs through the excessive consumption of sugary food and drink and by failing to clean the teeth twice a day. It may be symptomless at first. However, if it is not treated, it worsens until eventually a cavity forms in the tooth.

The symptoms of tooth decay include:

• Toothache, one of the first symptoms which should never be ignored
• A sharp pain or increased sensitivity when eating or drinking hot or cold things
• White, brown or black spots appearing on the tooth

At worst, a tooth or the gum can become infected leading to a build-up of pus and a painful dental abscess.

Preventing tooth decay

It is much simpler to prevent tooth decay from occurring rather than endure any of the symptoms mentioned above. This will also reduce the risk of losing your teeth. Things you can do to keep your and your children’s teeth healthy include:

• Brush teeth twice every day with toothpaste containing fluoride
• Spit after brushing rather than rinsing – which just rinses away the beneficial fluoride
• Clean in between teeth daily using floss or interdental brushes
• Do not consume too much sugary food and drink
• Do not smoke
• Have regular check-ups with your dentist 

While gum disease presents itself in fairly obvious symptoms such as bleeding or inflamed gums, tooth decay is not so easy to spot in the initial stages. Regular dental checks are vital to prevent tooth decay but if it does develop your dentist will have a range of effective treatments to restore teeth to full health.