What is it and why does my dentist recommend it?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral released from rocks into soil, water, and air. The use of fluoride in water and dental products has proven to reduce and prevent cavities or tooth decay. This is why dentists often recommend the use of fluoride to their patients.

Fluoride works by remineralization of enamel that has been demineralized (or weakened through the loss of minerals such as calcium and phosphate). As demineralization occurs, it can lead to cavities as the enamel on our teeth weakens. However, our teeth can be repaired through remineralization. This process strengthens the enamel by restoring minerals and making the teeth stronger against decay. In addition to a balanced diet and a good homecare routine, the use of recommended products from your dentist such as fluoride and nano-hydroxyapatite will help ensure remineralization.

How can I get and use fluoride?

Many community water systems adjust the fluoride levels in the water to ensure there is an optimal amount of fluoride in the water. This may mean adding fluoride to the water or it can mean they remove some fluoride. According to the CDC, 0.7 milligrams of fluoride/ 1 liter of drinking water is optimal to prevent dental caries.

Another way to access fluoride is in the use of dental products. There are both over the counter products you can use as well as applications prescribed by your dentist.

1. Fluoride mouth rinse- It is recommended to rinse once daily for 1 minute, and then avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes. ACT Fluoride Rinse is the most commonly recommended over the counter fluoride rinse.

Your dentist can both prescribe products for home use as well as apply topical fluoride in the dental office.

1. Prevident 5000 toothpaste (prescription required)

2. CariFree toothpaste and mouth rinse (options with and without fluoride)

3. Dr. Jens toothpaste (options with and without fluoride)

4. Fluoride varnish (applied in the office by your friendly hygienist)

Is fluoride safe?

Like most medications, vitamins, or supplements- fluoride is safe when used as directed. Ingesting more fluoride than recommended may result in an upset stomach (i.e. nausea and vomiting). Another possible side effect of ingesting more fluoride than recommended is fluorosis (can appear as white flecks in the enamel or can present as darker pitting) if the fluoride is ingested during tooth development. However, this would be in infants or if fluoride was ingested in very large quantities. Please see the links below for more information.

What if I don’t feel comfortable using fluoride? What is nano-hydroxyapatite and why are people talking about it?

Studies have shown regular use of topical fluoride is not detrimental to your overall health. It can be a very important measure in keeping kids and adults healthy.

That being said, we understand not everyone is comfortable using fluoride. There is an alternative way to re-mineralize your teeth. Nano-hydroxyapatite is another proven method of re-mineralizing your enamel, and it is also very safe.

Nano-hydroxyapatite is essentially a calcium crystal which can bond directly to hard tissues such as bone and enamel and is then able to re-mineralize weakened areas restoring them to a much stronger status. It is also worth mentioning nano-hydroxyapatite is biocompatible and is NOT found to be toxic.

Nano-hydroxyapatite in conjunction with fluoride in a non-acidic oral health environment provides the best chance at re-mineralization.

We recommend finding a product that works for you. The best person to ask what might be best for you is your dentist!

FUN FACT: NASA developed nano-hydroxyapatite in the 1970s as a solution for astronauts returning from zero gravity with weakened bones and enamel. They needed to re-mineralize the hard tissues (bone and enamel) that had been losing minerals while the astronauts were out in space. Neat!