How does fluoride help prevent tooth decay in children?
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American Dental Association answered:The key reason why tooth decay has been greatly reduced in the past few decades is use of fluoride. Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in all water sources, including oceans and lakes. During childhood, when teeth still are forming, fluoride works by making tooth enamel more resistant to the acid that causes tooth decay. After teeth erupt, fluoride helps repair, or remineralize, areas where the acid attacks have already begun.The key reason why tooth decay has been greatly reduced in the past few decades is use of fluoride. Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in all water sources, including oceans and lakes. During childhood, when teeth still are forming,... More -
Dr. Philip Uffer answered:Fluoride promotes remineralization.
Fluoride makes the tooth more resistant to acid attack.
Fluoride's mechanism of action is thought to be disruption of the electron transport system in bacteria. This disrupts their metabolism.
Fluoride promotes remineralization. Fluoride makes the tooth more resistant to acid attack. Fluoride's mechanism of action is thought to be disruption of the electron transport system in bacteria. This disrupts their metabolism. More
