What is fluoride and how does it prevent tooth decay?
ADA’s Fluoridation Facts Short Answer Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that prevents tooth decay systemically when ingested during tooth development and topically when applied to erupted teeth. ADA’s Fluoridation Facts Long Answer The fluoride ion comes from the element fluorine. Fluorine, the 17th most abundant element in the earth’s crust, is a gas and never occurs in its free state in nature. Fluorine exists only in combination with other elements as a fluoride compound. Fluoride compounds are constituents of minerals in rocks and soil. Water passes over rock formations and dissolves the fluoride compounds that are present, creating fluoride ions. The result is that small amounts of soluble fluoride ions are present in all water sources, including the oceans. Fluoride is present to some extent in all foods and beverages, but the concentrations vary widely.14-16 Simply put, fluoride is obtained in two forms: topical and systemic. Topical fluorides strengthen teeth already pr
