Fluroride in water can help prevent tooth decay

Fluoride in water can help prevent tooth decay
Many years ago studies showed that people who lived in communities in which the water had naturally higher levels of the fluoride ion (F-) had in general fewer cavities and other forms of tooth decay than in those that had a lower concentration. Further studies proved that when fluoride concentration was artificially increased the number of tooth problems was decreased. With that proof scientists decided it would be a good idea to find ways to introduce more fluoride into people’s daily lives, since it was quite obvious that people wouldn’t do anything on their own to increase the amount of fluoride that they came into contact with.
Some solutions (all still in effect) are introducing fluoride into the water supply so that people get fluoride into their mouth anytime that they drink (which should be quite often). Another method used in Germany, Mexico, and France is to add fluoride’s salt form, NaF, into ordinary table salt, which is another outlet that is encountered quite frequently in one’s daily life. The last method of introducing fluoride to the general public is to put it into toothpaste, which obviously gets applied to all the teeth.
The way that fluoride helps prevent tooth decay is that it takes the place of OH- in the mineral apatite, Ca5(PO4)3, which strengthens it further against acids. Apatite breaks down much quicker in acids than fluorapatite, which is why it is a better than just regular apatite. Fluorapatite also prevents the decomposition of carbohydrates into carboxylic acids, providing further protection.
I found this article interesting mainly because I never knew exactly how fluoride helped protect teeth. I always figured it was just something that coated teeth; I didn’t know it actually changed the chemical composition of enamel.
I also found it interesting to find out how fluoride was introduced elsewhere. I knew about the water supply and toothpaste, but I had never heard of introducing it into table salt, although I guess it makes sense. As for people who are opposed to the mandatory induction of fluoride, I think if you are serious about that and are going to be doing that much more, you probably have the resources to find out what is being introduced into your community and should base your habits off of what you can’t control. If it’s not available, then that would be my suggestion for a compromise: make that information readily available for those who need it.
WORKS CITED
Baird, C. Chemistry in Your Future. W.H. Freeman and Company. New York. 2006.pp 421-422.