What Is Fluoride and Where Is It Found?

Fluorine is an element; because it readily forms bonds, it is almost always found in nature in the form of fluoride compounds. It is present in small amounts in oceans, in the tea we enjoy drinking every day, and in seafood. However, it can also be found in very high concentrations in the chemical waste ponds of some mining operations.

What Does Fluoride Do to Teeth?

When fluoride binds to tooth enamel, it increases the enamel’s resistance to acids and can even support the repair of microscopic damage. For this reason, many developed countries with well-functioning control systems have added fluoride to drinking water for many years with the aim of improving public oral health. In our country, fluoride tablets have also been given to children at high risk of tooth decay, topical applications have been performed in clinics, and fluoride-containing oral care products have been used.

So Why Is It Controversial?

When fluoride is consumed in excessive amounts, it can affect the body systemically as well as alter the structure of tooth enamel. In recent years, it has been reported that systemically absorbed fluoride accumulates mainly in the kidneys and then in the cerebrospinal fluid, that its elimination from these areas is slow, and that it may particularly place a burden on the kidneys.

Another point to consider is that fluoride gradually dissolves out of the teeth over the long term, regardless of how it was initially taken. In other words, even fluoride tablets that were given to children in controlled amounts in previous years protected them only for a few years; tooth enamel needs to be replenished with fluoride again.

How Should Fluoride Be Used?

Considering all these factors together, the most appropriate approach is to avoid obtaining the fluoride we need systemically and instead use topical applications:

  • For daily care: Use fluoride toothpaste and fluoride-containing mouthwash.
  • For individuals at high risk of tooth decay: Have concentrated fluoride applied to the teeth by a dentist.

What About Children?

Do not be concerned about fluoride applications provided at schools for children over the age of 6. For younger children, however, it is safer for the procedure to be carried out in a dental clinic because of the risk of swallowing the entire amount of fluoride applied.

In Summary

When used in the correct amount and in the appropriate way, fluoride is a valuable aid that strengthens tooth enamel and helps protect against cavities. The important point is to avoid unnecessary systemic exposure and prefer topical applications. Scheduling a dental examination is a good first step in determining your level of cavity risk and the fluoride approach most appropriate for you.