Fluorides 

 

We can receive fluorides in two general ways:

Systemic fluorides include the fluoride in water that we drink. If fluoride is ingested during the years when teeth are developing ( birth to about the age of 12 years), it is incorporated into the actual structure of the enamel. This provides a very acid-resistant structure that is less likely to decay than tooth enamel without   fluoride. In areas where the water is not fluoridated, we can prescribe fluoride tablets or drops to administer to your children.

Fluoride accomplishes it decay-resistant properties by "neutralizing" the acid that causes decay. The drawing to the right shows "blue" unprotected enamel being "decayed" by the "green" acid. The top area of the drawing is an actual electron microscopic photo of non-fluoridated enamel.


This drawing depicts fluoridated enamel as a darker blue. As the fluoride neutralizes the acid, the fluoride is "used up". It is then important to replenish the fluorides with topical fluorides. Also, note the denser enamel in the electron microscope photograph.

The topical fluorides include:

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