MAIN Health Vitamins & Minerals Fluoride

The forms of fluoride that provide health benefits are already widely available, and most people get fluoride from very common sources.

One of the most common sources of fluoride is water. In the early twentieth century, tooth decay was a major problem in various locations across the United States.

Despite a great deal of concern from unconvinced citizens, fluoride was put forward as a treatment for this tooth decay, and was added to public water supplies. The addition of fluoride treated the tooth decay, and now, the addition of fluoride to the water supply is regarded as one of the greatest public health achievements of the last century.

Another common source of fluoride is toothpaste. The fluoride found in toothpaste has a number of valuable dental health benefits including protection against root decay and tooth surface decay for adults, protection against general tooth decay for adolescents. Fluoride also helps to repair weak spots on teeth which could potentially develop in to cavities and painful toothaches.

Fluoride's health benefits extend beyond the human mouth as well. A study by U.S. researchers found that fluoride, like calcium supplements, is likely responsible for a reduction in the number of fractures of the hips and vertebrae in older women.

Because fluoride is so widely used, there is a great deal of scrutiny of what, if any negative health impacts it has. While there is a minority that believe fluoride to be harmful rather than beneficial to health, a recent highly touted British research study concluded that there is no evidence linking the fluoride added to water or toothpaste with the ailments that are believed to be associated with fluoride, including Down's Syndrome, cancer, and osteoporosis.

While we would not ordinarily get enough fluoride in our diets, its addition to both public water supplies and tooth paste assures that the vast majority of people do not suffer from a lack of fluoride.

More about fluoride around the Web:

Around the Web, find out more about its history, proper use, and recent research suggesting other ways the natural mineral may help in maintaining good overall health...

Fluoride History - Everything you always wanted to know including detailed accounts of its discovery, early preparations, its introduction to the water supply, fluoride toxity, along with a comprehensive list of related links and suggested reading.

Food Standards Agency - Fluoride - A quick definition with suggested food sources and daily allowances with more complete information and scientific assessment in PDF format.

Human Nutrition - Fluoride - A brief mention of its recognized use in preventing cavities, and a good illustration of lab animals denied fluoride and its effects on thier normal physical development.

Drug Information: Sodium Fluoride (Systemic) - Detailed info in its importance in daily diet, precautions, interactions and proper use, plus recommended dosage information.

Fluoride - A complete description plus information on its benefits, how it works, indications and usage, interactions, and its suggested use in the treatment of osteoporosis, from PDRhealth.

Fluoride is important for strong teeth - Its benefits, as well as how and when to introduce it to a child's dental hygeine regimen, advice for pregnant or breast-feeding mothers, with links to related articles and further information on general dental care.

Fluoride and healthy teeth - How it works, plus information on fluorosis, fluoride supplements, and more on the use of fluoride in infants and children.

also see -> Dental Health