Is Fluoride Good for Teeth?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in certain foods and in some drinking water, and it is good for teeth, helping to prevent cavities in children and adults. It works by increasing the resistance of tooth enamel to acid produced by bacteria or exposure to acidic foods, and fluoride helps improve your dental health in several different ways. This is because fluoride can be ingested or applied topically as fluoridated toothpaste or during a professional fluoride treatment.

It’s important that children with developing teeth receive sufficient fluoride through food or drink as it will build up inside their teeth, helping to strengthen them and protect them against tooth decay. When ingested, fluoride will also be incorporated into saliva alongside other important minerals including calcium and phosphorus. These minerals will help to strengthen teeth after exposure to acids, re-hardening tooth enamel and reducing the effects of acid erosion. Whenever you brush with fluoridated toothpaste, a thin layer of fluoride ions will continue to coat your teeth for a while afterwards, providing a little extra protection. This is why you should never rinse your mouth after brushing and instead simply spit out any excess toothpaste.