Fluoride

How does Fluoride work?

Tooth decay is caused by acids that attack the structure of your teeth. These acids are produced when bacteria in your mouth break down food remains – particularly sugar. Fluoride can help to reverse this process.

Fluoride toothpaste

Clinical trials have shown that that using fluoride toothpaste can reduce tooth decay by up to 30%. There is no single ‘best' toothpaste, but those that meet the British Dental Association's standards of safety, quality and efficacy should carry the BDA logo on the pack.

The maximum amount of fluoride allowed in toothpaste by EC law is 1,500 parts per million fluoride (ppmF). For children under the age of 7, and particularly children living in areas with fluorinated water, the British Dental Association (BDA) recommends using toothpaste with a lower fluoride content of between 500 and 1,000 parts per million fluoride (ppmF).

The main fluorides in toothpaste are sodium fluoride and sodium mono-fluorophosphate. Many toothpaste packs express ppmF content as a percentage so, to check the fluoride content of your toothpaste, use this conversion table:

In the UK , 10% of the population have access to fluorinated drinking water but, even in these areas, it's crucial to use a fluoride toothpaste regularly.

There are a number of supplements available to help boost your intake of fluoride but all patients, especially children should always consult a dentist before using any form of fluoride supplement.

Is fluoride safe?

The only known side effect of fluoride is a minor flecking of the tooth enamel. This is most common in young children who swallow large amounts of fluoride while the adult teeth are forming but there is little evidence to suggest that this is more common in areas with fluorinated water.

For this reason it's important to use only a small amount of toothpaste (about the size of pea) when brushing your children's teeth.