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Fluoride: Teeth
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Fluoride is a natural mineral that safely strengthens teeth to help prevent tooth decay and permanent tooth loss. It helps stop cavities from forming by enhancing the remineralization (or rebuilding) process in teeth.
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Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that can help to prevent tooth decay by strengthening teeth. Experts say the best way to prevent tooth decay is to use several sources of fluoride.
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Fluoride combats tooth decay in two ways. It strengthens tooth enamel, a hard and shiny substance that protects the teeth, so that it can better resist the acid formed by plaque. Fluoride ... allows teeth damaged by acid to repair, or remineralize, themselves. Fluoride cannot repair cavities, but it can reverse low levels of tooth decay and thus prevent new cavities from forming.
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Fluoride ions taken systemically can become incorporated within bone and tooth tissue. Although bones and teeth have an organic matrix, it is their inorganic or crystalline hydroxyapatite composition that gives them their strength and hardness. Living human cells use available calcium and other minerals to form strong hydroxyapatite matrices. When fluoride ions are ... available to the cells, an additional material called fluorapatite is formed. Integration of a small amount of fluorapatite within a hydroxyapatite matrix may produce a more durable substance than is found with hydroxyapatite alone.
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Fluoride helps because, when teeth are growing, it mixes with tooth enamel - that hard coating on your teeth. That prevents tooth decay, or cavities. But fluoride can help even after your teeth are formed. It works with saliva to protect tooth enamel from plaque and sugars. By using fluoride toothpaste, for instance, everyone can enjoy some cavity protection. Fewer cavities means healthier teeth when you're an adult - and less chance of having to wear false teeth (dentures) when you're old!
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Fluoride is ... directly applied to the teeth as part of routine oral care. Brushing teeth with fluoride toothpaste is an important component of good daily dental hygiene. Fluoride may also be topically applied as fluoride gels, mouth rinses, and during professionally applied fluoride treatments. Anyone at high risk of tooth decay may benefit from fluoride treatments that use higher concentration levels of fluoride than those available in over-the-counter products.
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