Fluoride in the mouth (in saliva and dental plaque) is an effective way to prevent tooth decay. The action of fluoride in preventing tooth decay benefits both children and adults throughout their lives. Fluoride works to control early tooth decay in several ways. Because of its anticariogenic and antimicrobial properties, the fluoride ion (F−) has been widely used in the treatment of dental caries.
The antibacterial action of fluorine is due to the acidification of the bacterial cytoplasm through the formation of hydrogen ions (H+) and F- from hydrogen fluoride and to the alteration of bacterial metabolism by inhibiting vital bacterial enzymes, such as adenosine, triphosphatase and enolase, which release protons. A dentist can apply fluoride varnish to both baby and adult teeth. The process involves painting a varnish containing high levels of fluoride on the tooth surface twice a year to prevent tooth decay. It works by strengthening tooth enamel, making it more resistant to cavities.
Dentists use fluoride to strengthen teeth. It is a natural mineral that is used in dentistry to strengthen enamel. The mineral is also present in water, soil, plants, rocks and even in the air. Your teeth already have a lot of fluoride.
In fact, fluoride is concentrated in children's growing bones and developing teeth, helping to harden the teeth of babies and adults before they even leave the gums. For the initial implementation process, the equipment costs of salt fluoridation are similar to those of water fluoridation. The first studies that evaluated the effects of fluoride added to ingested salt on the incidence and prevalence of dental caries were conducted between 1965 and 1985 in Colombia, Hungary and Switzerland. Currently, milk fluoridation programs, supported by WHO and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, are being carried out on an ongoing basis in about 15 countries and various channels are used to provide fluoridated milk to children attending daycare and school.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends the use of professional fluoride varnish for children under 6 years of age. Therefore, the statement that the combination of the use of topical fluorides and the intake of fluoridated water will cause fluorosis in the adult patient is uncertain. Because fluoride is concentrated in dental plaque, it inhibits the process by which cariogenic bacteria metabolize carbohydrates to produce acidic and adhesive polysaccharides. For most people, this means drinking tap water with optimal levels of fluoride and brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste.
Children are also more likely to swallow toothpaste, which contains significantly more fluoride than fluoridated water. Lately, significant concerns have been raised around the world about excessive fluoride intake and related toxicity, leading several countries to ban fluoridation. In addition, urine is used as a biomarker to monitor compliance with salt fluoridation and possible excessive fluoride ingestion by people (1). A systematic review reports that fluoride treatments, such as fluoride varnish, have a substantial effect on preventing cavities in primary and permanent teeth).
Initially, fluoride was considered beneficial when administered systemically during tooth development, but subsequent research has demonstrated the importance and advantages of its topical effects in the prevention or treatment of tooth decay and tooth decay. However, it's a myth that fluoride treatments or fluoridated water cause widespread harm, although some people may experience some side effects, including:. Most water supplies contain some fluoride, and in the early 20th century, levels of dental decay were found to be associated with fluoride levels in drinking water. The combination of topical products with fluoride and the consumption of fluoridated water will benefit high-risk patients (2).
Currently, more than one and a half million children around the world consume fluoridated milk (2) and the experience gained in this international program provided considerable knowledge about the practical aspects of fluoridation. .
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