A 35-year-old member asked:

What is fluoride for?

5 doctor answers11 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Brodsky
Geriatrics 60 years experience
Fluoride: Fluoride, for dental uses, is a chemical element that, when properly applied to tooth enamel, makes that enamel more resistant to being disolved by the acids tooth decay germs produce that create caries (cavities) Fluoride (Fl) can also become part of the tooth structure if it is ingested by children during the time their teeth are forming..
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Sandra Eleczko
A Verified Doctoranswered
Dentistry 38 years experience
Fluoride: Fluoride is used to make the teeth harder and more resistant to decay. It becomes incorporated into the enamel structure, replacing a hydroxyl group in the enamel crystal structure. Because it is a bigger atom it makes the enamel harder for acids to attack and destroy the enamel.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Oswald Cameron-Morales
Dentistry 44 years experience
Fights decay: Fluoride is s natural mineral found in many foods and water. Tooth enamel looses minerals by the action of acids on the tooth( demineralization ) resulting in decay. Fluoride helps to replace some of those minerals ( remineralization) . However controversy exist on the use of fluoride due to its possible toxic effects in the body.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Gary Sandler
Dentistry 56 years experience
Fluoride: In dentistry, fluoride is used to strengthen the outer surface of the tooth- the enamel, and in some cases to reduce sensitivity.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Paul Grin
Pain Management 38 years experience
Fluoride is mineral: that is proven to protect against tooth decay.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Similar questions

A 42-year-old member asked:

What do you think about fluoride?

1 doctor answer3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Neil Liebowitz
Psychiatry 41 years experience
Great: I was young when floride was put in the water. I drank lots of water since my grandfather told me to, pulling out his complete dentures to demonstrate the consequences of not. I ate lots of candy and junk food and have no cavities at 58. My parents and older sibs all have lots of cavities and some needed partial dentures. I would not buy toothpaste without it as my current water is without flo
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 43-year-old member asked:

Why does our water have fluoride in it?

2 doctor answers5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Theodore Davantzis
Dentistry 42 years experience
Prevention: Strengthens enamel and prevents tooth decay. http://www.ada.org/en/public-programs/advocating-for-the-public/fluoride-and-fluoridation
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 43-year-old member asked:

What is luride (fluoride)?

2 doctor answers6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Howard Schneider
Pediatric Dentistry 36 years experience
A fluoride suppl.: Luride (fluoride) is a specific brand of dietary Fluoride supplement that is often prescribe for children who live in Fluoride deficient areas to help strengthen their tooth enamel.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Related questions

A 37-year-old member asked:
What are the guidelines with children and fluoride?
3 doctor answers5 doctors weighed in
A 37-year-old member asked:
Hoping you can tell me, is 0.21 fluoride level bad?
3 doctor answers5 doctors weighed in
A 48-year-old member asked:
Could you tell me how much fluoride can hurt someone!?
2 doctor answers2 doctors weighed in
A 30-year-old member asked:
Is it possible for you to overdose on topical fluoride?
2 doctor answers3 doctors weighed in
A 32-year-old male asked:
Can I use fluoride in the form of drops to my newly born?
3 doctor answers5 doctors weighed in
Last updated Jul 9, 2015

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