You’ve probably heard about fluoride before. It may have been from a toothpaste commercial, from a visit to your dentist, or you may even know that it’s been in tap water to help protect teeth for decades. But what actually is fluoride, and how does it help protect your teeth?

Fluoride itself is fairly unassuming – it’s a naturally occurring mineral found in rocks, soil, plants and water all over the world. But what makes fluoride special is its unique ability to protect teeth against cavities. However, in order to properly understand how fluoride helps prevent, and even repair, tooth decay, it’s important to understand why decay happens in the first place.  

It all starts with bacteria. Specifically, the bacteria present in everyone’s mouths that causes tooth decay. When you eat food, sugars find their way onto and in-between your teeth. The sugars are then broken down by these bacteria, producing acid in your mouth.  

Acid, as you may already know, is extremely corrosive, and the acid created by these harmful bacteria wears away at the outside of your teeth, removing the enamel from the surface and breaking the tooth surface down over time. As the enamel is worn away, the acid causes holes in your teeth called cavities.  

Fluoride disrupts this process in three separate ways, each contributing to stronger, healthier teeth.  

1. It strengthens enamel, making your teeth more resistant to acid.  

2. It can limit early tooth decay by re-mineralizing your teeth.  

3. It interferes with the harmful bacteria in your mouth, preventing it from creating as much acid in the first place.

Applied consistently over a person’s entire life, fluoride is instrumental in helping to prevent tooth decay. And best of all, it’s completely safe, with a significant amount of scientific evidence showing that it does not cause health problems in either adults or children.  

While there is fluoride present in most potable tap water, and drinking tap water does help strengthen the enamel in your teeth, brushing twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride is still an absolutely crucial part of any oral care routine.  

In addition, during cleanings, your dentist may apply a fluoride gel, varnish, or paint to either yours or your child’s teeth, adding an additional layer of protection. That’s part of the reason why regular six-month cleanings are so highly recommended by dentists – repeated long-term applications of fluoride help keep your teeth healthy for your entire life.  

If you have any questions about how fluoride works, its safety, or anything else about your teeth, feel free to ask your dentist or hygienist at your next appointment. Need to book one? It’s easy, just click the orange button and follow the prompts. We’re more than happy to go over any questions or concerns, and we consider ourselves a lifetime partner in your pursuit of a healthy mouth and teeth.