What are fluorides?

Fluorides are fluorine salts, which are formed from a compound of fluorine with inorganic or organic elements such as:. Due to the salt formation, completely different properties result in contrast to pure fluorine gas.Only these harmless fluorine compounds are used for prophylactic application in dentistry. The harmlessness of salts from two very toxic individual substances can best be demonstrated with common salt.

It consists of the very poisonous chlorine and sodium, which is also very poisonous. Together they form sodium chloride, i.e. common salt, which we consume every day and which is even essential for life.

Sodium
Calcium
Tin or
Amine

Forms of fluoridation

In systemic fluoridation, fluoride is supplied to the body by absorption through the gastrointestinal tract. This is done either through food or artificially by taking tablets, fluoridated table salt or mineral water. The fluoride is absorbed into the bloodstream and thus also reaches the salivary glands and the oral cavity.

Fluoridation with tablets must be adjusted for children according to age. It should be taken into account that when children brush their teeth, they swallow large amounts of toothpaste either arbitrarily because of its good taste or involuntarily. In contrast to the systemic application, where the fluoride only reaches the oral cavity in a highly diluted concentration, the local application means that the fluoride is applied directly to the teeth.

The local application is done by toothpaste, gel, rinsing solutions or varnishes applied by the dentist. Toothpaste should always contain fluoride. Most pastes contain the inorganic sodium fluoride or sodium monofluorophosphate, they are tasteless and are compatible with the other ingredients of the toothpaste.

Especially in America, toothpaste containing tin fluoride is also available. Amine fluoride is used as an organic compound in toothpastes. Another indication of fluoride is the local treatment of sensitive tooth necks.

Normally, the neck of the tooth is protected by the enamel and gums. Mainly due to periodontosis but also due to incorrect brushing, the gums retract and thus expose the neck of the tooth. Now thermal and chemical stimuli can be transmitted through the fine dentine tubules right into the pulp and cause pain.

Domestic application of fluoride gel to the painful neck of the tooth or application of fluoride varnish by the dentist seals the open dentinal tubules and thus makes the pain disappear. The simplest and also cheapest offer of a fluoride supply is the accumulation of fluoride in drinking water. In America (USA) but also in Europe it has already been performed.

For example, the city of Basel in Switzerland and Karl-Marx-Stadt in the former GDR have introduced fluoridation of drinking water. The success could be proven in a significant decrease of caries. In the Federal Republic of Germany, however, drinking water fluoridation will not occur, as this is considered compulsory medication, and it would therefore be necessary to provide two separate water pipes for each household, so that one could choose between fluoride-free and fluoride-enriched water.

The fluoridation of milk teeth is a controversial issue. Youth dental care is constantly improving and there is no doubt that fluorides play an essential role in this. However, scientists are not yet sure what is more sensible: the combination of fluorides with other preventive measures has the best effect, however: the constant sucking of pacifiers and bottles should be avoided, the drinks should be as sugar-free as possible.

Likewise a healthy nutrition plays an important role. Between the meals sufficiently long breaks are to be kept. Also the oral hygiene of the parents plays an important role – on the one hand the parents are a good example for the child, on the other hand it was scientifically proven that children whose mothers got caries have an increased risk to suffer from caries themselves.

It should not be forgotten that bacteria are responsible for the development of caries. Therefore, parents should not put their baby’s pacifier in their mouth!

Systemic use: i.e. fluoride intake with certain foods or tablets during the maturation phase of the teeth or
Local fluoridation: lifelong use of fluoride-containing toothpastes or table salt.