
While fluoride is a naturally occurring compound, it can still cause side effects when consumed in large doses. This followed the introduction to, and expansion of, fluoridated water in communities, and the addition of fluoride to toothpastes and other dental products.Īre there any potential side effects from fluoride? Weakened tooth enamel leaves your teeth vulnerable to bacteria that cause cavities.įluoride helps to remineralize your tooth enamel, which can prevent cavities and reverse early signs of tooth decay.Īccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average number of missing or decaying teeth in 12-year-old children in the United States dropped by 68 percent from the late 1960s through the early 1990s. This loss of minerals is called demineralization. When bacteria in your mouth break down sugar and carbs, they produce acids that eat away at the minerals in your tooth enamel. prevent the growth of harmful oral bacteria.slow down the loss of minerals from tooth enamel.rebuild (remineralize) weakened tooth enamel.

Fluoride is beneficial to teeth because it helps to:
