What is Fluoride? 3 Myths & Facts

what is fluoride

Toothpaste is designed to give multiple benefits, such as making cleaning more efficient and giving you fresh breath. In addition, it helps to prevent plaque accumulation and adds protective layers on dental surfaces to protect them from acids and bacteria. So what is fluoride? How does it come into play regarding all that?

Well, to put it simply, fluoride is the main active ingredient of all toothpaste that can do all of the above and more.

What is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a mineral that is found in most kinds of toothpaste. It is also present in the internal structure of enamel (the outermost layer of the teeth responsible for their protection). It also goes into the composition of a lot of the dental materials used in the dental practice. Those materials mainly center around teeth fillings. For that reason, it’s a pretty important chemical for dentists and patients alike.

What Does Fluoride in Toothpaste Do?

The fluoride in the toothpaste is responsible for the therapeutic action of the toothpaste. It coats the tooth surface with a protective layer that is resistant to acids and bacteria and can also prevent plaque from accumulating on the surface of the teeth. In addition, it can also plug the pores of the teeth, reducing their sensitivity.

3 Myths & Facts

Myth: Fluoride is a Chemical

It is not a chemical component. It is a mineral.

Fact: It is a Mineral

It’s the ionic form of fluorine, an element that naturally occurs in rocks and releases into the soil, water, and air. In most areas of the world, fluoride is recognized as the best and most cost-effective method to reduce dental decay by adding it to the water we drink.

Myth: Fluoride Always Causes Toxicity

Fluoride is only toxic in very high amounts or if used incorrectly. In normal amounts, it is very beneficial to dental health.

Fact: Swallowing Fluoridated Toothpaste Is Dangerous

Indeed it is. While the concentration of fluoride per unit of toothpaste is not that high, ingesting toothpaste means introducing a larger-than-usual amount of fluoride into the body, which can affect the teeth as well as general health.

Myth: It Can Strengthen the Internal Structure of the Tooth

Once our teeth are formed and erupt inside the mouth, nothing can change their inner structure anymore, not even a strong compound such as this one.

Fact: Using Fluoridated Toothpaste Can Help to Prevent Dental Decay

And that is the most important fact of all.

So what is fluoride, you ask? Simply the ultimate protector against decay and other mouth diseases, whether in water or in toothpaste.


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