Dental Health - Composition of Drinking Water

Fluorides:

Fluorides are salts of the ubiquitous element fluorine, which belongs to the best-studied elements in dentistry. It is an essential trace element, and in the human body it is mainly found in the skeleton. For humans an intake of about 1 milligram fluoride per day is ideal, but since our drinking water - in contrast to seawater - does not contain enough fluoride, we only take in 0.3 milligrams. Fluoride also plays an important roll in dental health as it forms a protective layer around the tooth and consequently prevents acids from dissolving parts of the dental enamel, called the hydroxyapatite. The dissolving of hydroxyapatite subsequently leads to cavities. Since the protective layer has to be renewed again and again, a constant intake of fluoride is of great importance.

Forms for taking in fluorides:

Many countries have fluorinated tap water to provide a basic supply for the population. Otherwise, the daily small doses of fluoride taken in through toothpaste and fluorinated table salt are usually sufficient to prevent the formation of cavities. In cases of high cavity risk, there are several varnishes, gels and mouthwashes that can be recommended by dentists.

Toxicity of fluoride:

Large quantities of fluoride can cause chronic or acute poisoning. However, the amounts necessary are very high and the risk of poisoning is very small, if the products mentioned are used according to the instructions.

What is the basis of dental health?

The most important requirement for maintaining healthy teeth is proper care.

When brushing the teeth it is important to

• Brush long enough - three minutes is best.
• Brush very carefully, especially in the interstices between the teeth and the corners of the molar teeth.

The interstices are vulnerable spots for cavities and gingivitis, because they are hardly reached by the toothbrush and therefore particles of food can accumulate. In order to clean these interstices, the use of dental floss is recommended, especially for narrow spaced teeth.

Concerning diet, the frequency of sugar intake is of importance, not the amount