Why is fluoride used in dentistry?
Fluoride is a hot topic in dentistry, but why is it actually used? Here we explain the background, the benefits and what you should consider.
Chemical background
It is not the element fluorine that is used in dentistry, but fluoride - an ion based on fluorine. Fluoride is a highly reactive and toxic gas, while fluoride occurs naturally in, for example, fluorite, cryolite and apatite, and is found in rocks, water and certain foods such as grapes and raisins. Synthetically produced fluoride is used in dental products, so it is not a natural ingredient.
The two most important properties of fluoride
Since the early 20th century, fluoride has been documented as an effective tool in preventing tooth decay (cavities). But how does it work?
- Strengthens the enamel surface - a stronger enamel surface provides better protection against acid attack from caries bacteria.
- Makes the enamel more slippery - making it more difficult for bacterial plaque to adhere to the tooth surface.
Three things to consider
- Fluoride is an aid in the prevention of caries; using dental care products with fluoride does not mean you become immune to caries.
- Fluoride is dose-dependent and short-acting. Regular use is more effective than single large doses.
- Fluoride should not be swallowed - high doses can be toxic. To get symptoms of fluoride poisoning, 5-15 mg per kilogram of body weight is required, which is equivalent to the content of 1-3 tubes of toothpaste for a child weighing 10 kg.
The influence of diet on dental caries
Cavities are not caused by a lack of fluoride - but by a diet that is unfavorable for teeth and general health. If you can't eat exemplary and stay away from sugar and fast carbohydrates in the form of soda, white bread, candy and so on, it is definitely a good idea to use fluoride toothpaste and perhaps fluoride rinse as extra protection.
However, if you eat a really good, natural diet and have never had a cavity in your teeth, then fluoride may not be the most important thing in life. In my previous area of work, the United Arab Emirates, the old Bedouins had never seen a dentist or brushed their teeth - despite that, they did not have a single cavity in their teeth. How is that possible? They lived completely without refined and ultra-processed foods. Only 10 years later I met the same people, this time with the same dental and health problems that we have in the Western world. The same cavities, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and long lists of medications. Why? The amount of fluoride was the same as 10 years earlier, but their diet had been infiltrated by Western fast food chains and soft drink manufacturers.
A new option?
According to Swedish dental care, there is no alternative to fluoride as an aid against caries. However, international studies show that hydroxyapatite provides equivalent protection against caries. Tjikko Toothpaste Tablets contain hydroxyapatite and are an alternative for those who want to combine effective dental care without synthetically produced fluoride. You can find scientific studies on the positive properties of hydroxyapatite here.