Research has shown, brushing with toothpaste that contains fluoride lowers the risk of decay by 15-30 percent, and drinking fluoridated water lowers the risk by 18-40 percent. Most water supplies have natural fluoride in them, but if they do not, fluoride supplements are available.

What is Fluoride
Topical and Systemic Fluoride
Other Forms of Fluoride
Water Fluoridation Helps Prevent Tooth Decay
Benefits of Water Fluoridation
Plaque Disclosing Tablets

 

What is Fluoride

• Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in water sources, including the ocean.
• Brush with fluoridated toothpaste and drink fluoridated water to help protect teeth against decay
  
  

Topical and Systemic Fluoride

• Fluoride comes in two forms: topical and systemic. Topical fluorides can be found in toothpaste, mouth rinse and fluoride applied in the dental office. Systemic fluorides are ingested. Systemic fluorides are found in fluoridated water and dietary fluoride supplements in the form of tablets. The best results in tooth decay reduction is when fluoride is available both topically and systemically.

Other Forms of Fluoride

• Fluoridated water is not available to everyone in their communities, but fluoride is available in other forms.
• Dietary fluoride supplements are available only by prescription and are intended for children aged 6 months to 16 years who live in nonfluoridated areas.
   

Water Fluoridation Helps Prevent Tooth Decay

• Tooth decay affects both the person and the community. For the individual it is painful and costly. For the community it may be lost time at work. Fluoride is helpful because it:
  • Helps protect against tooth decay in children and adults. Repairs weak spots that could become cavities (holes in teeth) on the surface of the tooth.
  • Reduces the amount of money people need to spend on dental treatment.
  • Saves the community time and money (time away from work and school).
  • Reduces discomfort and pain caused by tooth decay.
    
     

Plaque Disclosing Tablets

• Disclosing tablets contain a harmless colored dye that is attracted to the plaque on teeth. The tablet causes the plaque to turn a different color so people can have a better idea of where they need to brush.
• Disclosing tablets use is simple. Take a tablet, chew it up and swish the accumulated saliva in the mouth for 60 seconds, spit and rinse. Now the disclosing tablet dye has colored the plaque on the teeth allowing the person to easily see areas that need special attention. The special dye is easy to remove with a toothbrush. Some disclosing tablets have a special "two tone" added feature. Old plaque will be colored blue, new plaque will be colored red. Brush the teeth, chew another disclosing tablet and take a look at the teeth. It is easy to see the missed areas on the teeth and the areas which need special attention.
• Disclosing tablets can be important in teaching children to brush properly.
• Parents should be aware that the dye in the tablets can stain clothing.
  
   

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