Fluorid
Fluoride is considered indispensable in dentistry. If it is present in sufficient quantities in your toothpaste, it prevents caries and hardens your tooth enamel. By brushing your teeth regularly, fluoride makes a significant contribution to tooth preservation, but the substance is the subject of controversial debate, especially on the internet. We have compiled the most important facts for you:
Is fluoride toxic?
First things first: No! Not in the quantities we usually ingest. As with many other substances, the dose is decisive. Incorrectly, the terms fluorine and fluoride are often used synonymously, which causes confusion. Fluorine is a toxic gas - fluorides are salts of fluorine and are found everywhere in nature. Your body also contains fluoride, especially in bones and teeth!
What is fluorid?
Fluoride or fluorides are trace elements that are naturally part of the body and without which the human organism could not exist in its form! It is a natural raw material that binds to calcium and is deposited in the forming hard tooth substance, e.g. during tooth development. Fluoride is contained in many foods and is found, for example, in black tea and fish, as well as in most mineral waters.
How does fluoride work?
Fluoride has a positive effect on your dental health in several ways:
- Fluorides have a remineralising effect on the teeth. They demonstrably help to incorporate the calcium phosphates into the enamel more quickly.
Advantage: The time for bacteria to use the weak spots in the enamel becomes shorter and the caries risk is thus lower. - Just like calcium phosphate, fluorides are deposited in the tooth enamel.
Advantage: Demineralisation of the teeth by acids is stopped. - Fluoride, which are applied to the teeth e.g. by toothpaste, form a kind of protective layer on the teeth..
Advantage: If acid is produced, it is already neutralised by the top layer - minerals and enamel are not affected.. - Penetration disrupts the metabolism of bacteria.
Advantage: The tooth-dangerous acid production is inhibited. - Fluoride strengthens the enamel and thus the microstructure of the teeth - especially during childhood!!
Advantage: The teeth are more resistant..
On average, toothpastes containing fluoride inhibit caries 24% more than toothpastes that do not contain fluoride. This is why dental societies recommend fluoride toothpastes!
Is there a risk of overdose?
No, especially in Germany the daily fluoride intake is very low. An adult in this country takes in about 0.4 to 1.5 milligrams a day, which does not reach the guideline value of the German Society for Nutrition! This is 3.5 milligrams. Even though fluoride only enters the body through ingestion, there is no risk from fluoride toothpastes when used properly, because the toothpaste is not swallowed and the mouth is rinsed out after brushing. Even if accidentally swallowed, the amount is within the guideline values. Fluoride poisoning is not to be expected in children either: a toddler would have to eat at least one large tube of "adult" toothpaste at a time, but even then the probability of symptoms of poisoning would still be very low.
Can pregnant women use fluoride toothpaste?
Yes! Locally applied fluoride-containing products such as toothpaste can be used by pregnant women without hesitation, as they do not play a role in the total absorption of fluoride since you spit it out.
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