![]() ![]() When sugars remain on the teeth, bacteria in the mouth can easily turn them into acids, eventually forming the teeth-clinging film known as plaque. Plaque can form after eating sugary or sticky foods. Fluoride’s antibacterial properties can help prevent this harmful acid and work to keep our teeth strong and safe. Once deep within the tooth, bacteria can cause irritation that presses the tooth’s nerve, leading to increased pain and sensitivity.īut, if bacteria can’t efficiently produce the acid known to form plaque and break down the enamel, the bacteria cannot force their way deeper into the teeth. ![]() The acid can create holes in the enamel that allow bacteria to move further toward the center of the teeth. By providing the minerals needed to strengthen the enamel, fluoride can help reduce the risk and reverse some early stages of tooth decay.įluoride can help prevent bacteria from eating away at our teeth by limiting their ability to form acid. ![]() Luckily, fluoride helps slow demineralization and can support remineralization by reintroducing lost minerals. If your enamel is weakened from the loss of minerals, you may experience increased sensitivity and discomfort. And as acid continues to erode the enamel, it exposes the more sensitive dentin underneath. With the loss of vital minerals, our protective enamel can become weaker and more vulnerable to acid-producing bacteria. These minerals help shield the teeth from harm, but when bacteria produce acid from the sugars and starches that cling to the teeth, the acid can eat away at these minerals. Our tooth enamel contains several strengthening minerals such as phosphate and calcium. So how exactly does fluoride prevent cavities and support teeth health? Here are some of the main benefits of fluoride.įluoride promotes the remineralization of enamel, a process that is vital for overall tooth health.Įnamel is the hard outer layer of the tooth that protects the more sensitive inner parts of the tooth. What Are the Benefits of Fluoride Toothpaste? These small holes in the tooth can occur when the teeth sustain damage from bacteria and plaque buildup, eventually affecting the nerves within the tooth. The use of fluoride toothpaste can provide many benefits that ultimately help fight off cavities - also known as dental caries or tooth decay. Fluorapatite works to reduce tooth decay by helping reduce plaque buildup and slow demineralization. Once absorbed, fluoride can help prevent cavities by joining forces with calcium and phosphate to form a compound known as fluorapatite. When we use fluoride toothpaste, the fluoride is absorbed into the teeth, joining other minerals that work to protect the teeth. Manufacturers launched the first fluoride toothpaste in 1955, and fluoride toothpaste quickly became popular. Studies found that fluoride toothpaste was another effective way to strengthen the teeth. Right as water fluoridation was taking off in the 1940s and 1950s, toothpaste companies began to explore the benefits of adding fluoride directly into toothpaste as well. Many of us are now exposed to tested and safe amounts of fluoride through our drinking water. As water fluoridation was proven to reduce the risk of dental decay, fluoride treatment became more popular across the country. Studies were set in motion to find the optimal amount of fluoride to benefit our teeth without negatively impacting our health. A connection between fluoride exposure and oral health was made in the mid-1900s when researchers found that in areas where the water contained naturally high concentrations of fluoride, community members had surprisingly strong teeth enamel and low rates of tooth decay. However, early research found that some communities are more exposed to fluoride through their water supply than others. While many natural water sources water, we typically do not consume enough fluoride naturally to experience any effects. What Is Fluoride Toothpaste?įluoride is a mineral found within rocks that is then released into the air, soil, and water. We’re covering the key differences and benefits of fluoride and non-fluoride toothpaste so you can choose your next toothpaste with confidence and ease. What exactly is fluoride, why is it so commonly added to toothpaste, and how can you decide whether a fluoride or fluoride-free toothpaste option is right for you? While fluoride has been added to most toothpaste for the past seventy years, multiple ingredients can provide similar dental health benefits for those who prefer a fluoride-free option. ![]()
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