Why Fluoride is added to Drinking Water

Fluoride: The 13^thmost abundant material on the earth’s crust, and a chemical ion of the element Fluorine-Fluoride with one extra electron that gives it a negative charge. While Fluoride is a natural element, if levels are too high, it can become toxic and lead to severe health problems. However, in the right amounts, fluoride can be cariostatic – meaning it can inhibit dental caries (progressive decay that’s been known to lead to the death of a tooth). Primarily because of this property, fluoride is synthesized in laboratories and added to drinking water, toothpaste, mouthwash and other chemical products.

Despite the fact that fluoride has been a topic of debate – and, subsequently, fluoridated products under fire – since its initiation back in the 1940’s, it has an exponential number of positive effects, especially on teeth.

It was established long ago that fluoride helps to harden the enamel coating that protects our teeth from the acid that is produced by decay causing bacteria. Newer studies are starting to reveal that fluoride has the capabilities to penetrate and harden a much thinner layer of enamel than previously believed, further solidifying the evidence in-favor of fluoride, and lending credence to the other theories about how fluoride works. Fluoride also serves to protect the tooth from demineralization, and actually remineralize it – meaning that if there is already damaged cause by the acid created by the combination of sugars and bacteria, the fluoride accumulates in the decaying areas and begins to re-strengthen the enamel.

That being said, authorities condone adding fluoride to drinking water and other products, such as toothpaste and mouthwash, because it reduces the prevalence of tooth decay in the population. Check out our page on Fluoride to learn more about the benefits of fluoride, but also, the very real dangers: http://www.lakeshorefamilydentist.com/library/11/Fluoride.html