Fluoride

Fluoride, often called sodium fluoride, is a trace element found in the body, but the only place it is typically found is in the bones and the teeth. One of the many benefits of fluoride is that it helps to prevent tooth decay and promotes healthy teeth. According to the food and drug administration, people can begin ingesting fluoride as early as 6 months of age. This is why fluoride in water is even available in water marketed for babies.

There are not many dietary sources of fluoride, so supplements can be taken to accomplish the necessary intake of fluoride on a regular basis. This isn’t usually necessary, however, because even though fluoride isn’t found in many foods, there are teas and some seafood that contain fluoride. The most common source of fluoride, however, is drinking water. Almost all tap water has fluoride, and depending on where you live, these levels can change drastically. Fluoride in bottled water isn’t usually prevalent in adult waters, but bottled water for babies often contains fluoride. Many toothpastes contain fluoride as well, and this, combined with drinking fluoridate water, can significantly reduce the effects and appearance of tooth decay. Other methods of achieving tooth health through fluoride are to use a fluoride rinse such as Act fluoride rinse or any other brand.

How are teeth affected by fluorides and acids? Typically, fluoride will provide only health to teeth, and will not affect them negatively. However, in children under the age of 8, fluoride toxicity levels can exist. Typically, the harm will only be that the tooth enamel will become mottled, and this usually only occurs when children eat fluoridated toothpaste. A fluoride water filter can often be used to help eliminate excessive amounts of fluoride and you can easily find a fluoride filter at nearly any hardware store.

Dental health and fluoride usage can easily be linked, but it is important to also remember that fluoride can help with bone density. Therefore, fluoride in large doses is often used to treat osteoporosis or other bone conditions. However, too much fluoride can often be stored in tissues within the body, and fluoride removal from human body tissues must be done using a combination of other vitamins or minerals that can help the natural fluoride removal process. Fluoride and plant growth have also been linked, and it has shown to offer benefits to other living beings besides humans.