Fluoride is an element that protects tooth enamel against acids, prevents tooth decay, and also increases its durability by entering the structure of the tooth during its formation. It is naturally found in drinking water, mineral water, tea, citrus fruits, and seafood such as fish.
Effects of Fluoride
It has an effect of increasing the durability of the crystal structure of teeth and bones. It does not dissolve back when needed like calcium and phosphorus.
It protects teeth from acid effects. Thus, it prevents teeth from demineralizing and cavities.
It prevents calcium loss by retaining it in bones.
Although it is not definite, it is thought to have an effect on growth, increase the absorption of iron, and contribute to the production of red blood cells in the blood.
Fluoride Deficiency
There are no serious problems that can be attributed to its deficiency. It is not clear whether it is a natural substance of the body or whether it needs to be taken from outside. There are two problems that occur when it is not taken enough.
The durability of the teeth decreases and easy cavities and tooth loss occur.
Bones become weak and break easily. However, for this situation to occur, there must be an osteoporosis ground.
Tooth decay is related to fluoride deficiency. However, if oral hygiene and nutrition are taken care of even if fluoride is not taken, this situation may not occur. This brings to the fore the idea that taking fluoride is definitely not a condition but a protective extra feature.
Fluoride Excess
As a result of speculations, unnecessary overdose is seen more frequently. It is naturally toxic, meaning it can be harmful. Its presence in drinking water at a dose of 1 ppm is really effective in preventing tooth decay. When it exceeds a dose of 2 ppm, dark yellow-brown color changes and deformities occur in the teeth called fluorosis. However, these teeth are still in a healthy condition.
Water between 8 - 20 ppm causes hardening called sclerosis in tissues, bones and joints.
When it exceeds 20 ppm, much more serious problems occur. Growth stops, cellular damage occurs in metabolically active tissues such as the liver, kidneys, adrenal glands and reproductive organs.
Fatal events occur above 50 ppm.
When it is taken in excess as a medicine, the complaints listed above may also occur. The ability of calcium to bind fluoride has positive and negative effects in some ways.
Fluoride Need
There is no daily amount to be taken. Adding fluoride to drinking water has become a topic of discussion in many countries. It is a very difficult process to follow the density in water and keep it at a certain level. On the other hand, since the amount of fluoride people take in with food and how much water they drink are variable, it is possible to cause excess. Taking 1.5 - 4.0 mg per day is a sufficient amount. While 0.35 - 1.5 mg is taken with water without fluoride, 2 - 3 mg is taken with water with fluoride.
Natural Sources of Fluoride
Fish and other seafood are also rich sources of fluoride due to its presence in sea water. Hard water contains fluoride. Tea is the plant that contains the most fluoride. 1 mg of fluoride can be taken daily from tea alone. Other plants also contain varying amounts of fluoride depending on the characteristics of the soil they are grown in.
Fluoride added to toothpastes has a local effect. However, this fluoride in toothpastes also contains tin. Whether the local effect of fluoride on teeth and gums is as effective as that taken in drinking water is a separate topic of discussion. Research shows that fluoride taken orally in water and mixed with blood is more effective than fluoride that touches the teeth locally. Pharmaceutical companies that produce fluoride tablets recommend using it in the mouth by sucking it. They even recommend changing the place where it is sucked depending on the day, sometimes on the right, sometimes on the inside of the left cheek.
When children reach the age of 2.5-3, they should be given the habit of brushing their teeth under parental supervision using specially produced fluoride-containing toothpastes for children. Since adult toothpastes have higher fluoride levels, they are not recommended for use in children. Fluoride mouthwashes are another method of daily fluoride intake that a person can use.
Fluoride gels applied by dentists every 6 months are also among the topical applications. After the fluoride in gel form is placed in a rubber spoon, the teeth are dried with air and the spoon is left on the teeth for a while. The person should not eat or drink anything for half an hour. Fluoride application is an extremely simple and painless procedure.
Brushing your teeth at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste and 6-month routine dentist check-ups and professional fluoride gel applications are very simple methods. The result is having healthy, aesthetic teeth...
