Fluoride

Fluoride

What is fluoride?

• negative ion of the non-metallic pale yellow gaseous element fluorine
• fluorine - atomic number 9, atomic mass 19
• first member of the halogen group of elements
• occurs as a natural mineral in many forms and is frequently found in water naturally
• flurospar and fluorapatite

Fluoride and dental caries

• in 1942, Dean et al published an epidemiological study on children living in 20 towns in the USA, relating caries experience and fluoride content in drinking water
• 1ppm fluoride found optimal level for caries reduction without mottling being evident

Artificially fluoridated water

• US Public Health Service decided to test the hypothesis by a study of two towns, Grand Rapids and Muskegon
• in January 1945, Grand Rapids artificially fluoridated water to 1ppm
• Arnold et al (1953) reported that the caries experience of six year olds nearly halved in comparison to the control

Naturally fluoridated water

• some parts of the world have very high levels of fluoride in the water
• mottling does occur in these areas; in some parts of Africa and the Indian Subcontinent where deep underground water supplies are used, the teeth can be almost black in appearence

Fluoridation in the UK

• Birmingham and Newcastle have fluoridated water supplies
• only 10% of the UK population have fluoridated water
• in the USA, almost 70% of the population receive fluoridated water
• the government has recently back the fluoridation of water

Fluoride in drinking water

• effective, safe and cheapest way of preventing caries
• ideal fluoride supplement - safe, low concentration, used frequently and does not involve cooperation from the patient

Objections to fluoridation of water

• mass medication
• removes personal choice (can be removed by a chalk filter)
• may be thought to be harmful
• interferes with herbal and alternative medicines

How does fluoride protect our teeth?

• topical effects (post eruptive) are more…