What is fluoride in water?
What is fluoride? Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that helps rebuild tooth enamel and reverse early signs of tooth decay. Your body takes in fluoride in two ways: systemically and topically. Systemic fluorides are swallowed, including fluoridated water (most tap water) and dietary fluoride supplements.
Why do dentists use fluoride?
Ask your dentist for a fluoride treatment for your teeth to help protect and remineralize enamel, helping reduce the likelihood of a cavity. Now that's something to smile about! Learn more about fluoride and how these treatments can benefit you.
How long should you wait to eat after fluoride treatment?
After the treatment is applied, don't eat or drink for at least 30 minutes to allow your teeth to absorb the fluoride and help repair microscopic areas of decay. Depending on your oral health, your dentist might recommend fluoride treatments every 6–12 months.
What is the best treatment for tooth decay?
If you're at a higher risk of developing tooth decay, your dentist might also recommend other preventive measures, such as over-the-counter or prescription fluoride mouth rinses or gels, or an antibacterial mouth rinse. Ask your dentist about the benefits of fluoride treatments, and keep up your daily dental hygiene regimen.
How long does it take to get fluoride out of your mouth?
Professional fluoride treatments usually only take a few minutes. The fluoride might come in the form of a gel, foam or varnish. It can be applied with a swab or brush or placed in a tray held in the mouth for a few minutes. After the treatment is applied, don't eat or drink for at least 30 minutes to allow your teeth to absorb ...
Can kids get fluoride?
Fluoride treatments for kids. According to Stanford Children's Health, children can begin getting fluoride treatments at the dentist once their first tooth appears. However, be aware that children under two years old should still use a fluoride-free toothpaste.
Is fluoride good for teeth?
Fluoride treatments applied by a dentist are especially good for people with a higher risk for tooth decay or erosion. If you have dry mouth, weak enamel, poor oral health or if you have crowns, ask your dentist if applying a fluoride varnish would help protect your teeth.
What products are fluoride containing?
The success of water fluoridation in preventing and controlling dental caries led to the development of fluoride-containing products, including toothpaste (i.e., dentifrice), mouthrinse, dietary supplements, and professionally applied or prescribed gel, foam, or varnish.
When did the CDC start using fluoride?
Both health-care professionals and the public have sought guidance on selecting the best way to provide and receive fluoride. During the late 1990s , CDC convened a work group to develop recommendations for using fluoride to prevent and control dental caries in the United States.
What is fluoride mouth rinse?
Fluoride mouthrinse is a concentrated solution intended for daily or weekly use. The fluoride from mouthrinse, like that from toothpaste, is retained in dental plaque and saliva to help prevent dental caries ( 183 ). The most common fluoride compound used in mouthrinse is sodium fluoride.
What is the most common source of fluoride?
Fluoridated community drinking water and fluoride toothpaste are the most common sources of fluoride in the United States and are largely responsible for the low risk for dental caries for most persons in this country. Persons at high risk for dental caries might require more frequent or more concentrated exposure to fluoride and might benefit from use of other fluoride modalities (e.g., mouthrinse, dietary supplements, and topical gel, foam, or varnish). The effects of each of these fluoride sources on dental caries and enamel fluorosis are described.
What is the recommended concentration of fluoride in water?
This concentration ranges from 0.7 ppm to 1.2 ppm depending on the average maximum daily air temperature of the area ( 66--68 ). In 1991, PHS also issued policy and research recommendations for fluoride use ( 8 ). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is responsible for the safety and quality of drinking water in the United States, sets a maximum allowable limit for fluoride in community drinking water at 4 ppm and a secondary limit (i.e., nonenforceable guideline) at 2 ppm ( 69,70 ). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for approving prescription and over-the-counter fluoride products marketed in the United States and for setting standards for labeling bottled water ( 71) and over-the-counter fluoride products (e.g., toothpaste and mouthrinse) ( 72 ).
How much fluoride is in toothpaste?
In the United States, the standard concentration of fluoride in fluoride toothpaste is 1,000--1,100 ppm. Toothpaste containing 1,500 ppm fluoride has been reported to be slightly more efficacious in reducing dental caries in U.S. and European studies ( 161--164 ).
What minerals are retained in plaque?
These minerals can be captured by surrounding plaque and be available for reuptake by the enamel surface. Fluoride, when present in the mouth, is also retained and concentrated in plaque. Fluoride works to control early dental caries in several ways.
