How does the regular use of Fluoride help control tooth decay?
Fluoride helps prevent and control decay in the following ways – • Ingestion of fluoride (water, certain foods) results in incorporation of fluoride into enamel and dentin of unerupted (developing) tooth buds • Makes the structure of enamel and dentin harder and more resistant to acid attack after the teeth have erupted. • Ingested fluoride with saliva, enters the plaque and reduces the acid produced by bacteria. • Fluoride from saliva enters enamel of newly erupted teeth (whose calcification is incomplete) and enhances enamel calcification. Water fluoridation i.e. right levels of fluoride in drinking water can provide most of these benefits.
