Fluoride is chemical element which helps in maintaining dental hygiene, especially reducing the number of teeth cavities.
It can be present naturally in drinking water or food such us (pickles, cucumber, dill, grape juice, and etc.). There are many countries which have lower levels of fluoride in the water to prevent cavities, and extra fluoride may be needed to be introduced to the diet. For people who have cavities problem may require both topical fluoride treatments by the dentist and dietary fluoride.
Brushing and flossing the teeth is essential, taking extra fluoride will not change your good dental habits.
Importance of Diet
Varied and balanced diet is very important for your overall health. Sometimes we may require professional care about the proper diet. Vitamins and minerals are essential part of the daily diet, and if you are not sure about the daily intake ask your health care professional for a list of foods and amounts which will be appropriate for you. Sometimes supplements which contain vitamins and minerals are required, for urgently leveling the needed amounts of vitamins and minerals.
Needed dose of fluoride can be taken on many natural ways, such us eating fish, including the bones, tea, and drinking water rich with allowed amount of dietary fluoride.
Food which is cooked in water contains fluoride naturally. But be careful, cooking always should be done in Teflon-coated pans, because aluminum pans create chemical reaction and reduce the fluoride levels.
Many countries define the daily fluoride amount on different ways:
For U.S
- Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) – defines the amount of minerals and vitamins which should to be included in the diet of a healthy person. Recommended amounts vary depending on a person’s physical condition, age, sex.
- Daily Values (DVs) – are the stickers used on dietary supplements and food which indicate the recommended daily amounts of the nutrients included into the product.
For Canada
- Recommended Nutrient Intakes (RNIs) – amounts of proteins, vitamins and minerals which adequate nutrition needed to provide and lower the risk of chronic disease
There isn’t definition for fluoride, in RDA or RNI, but exist general rule provided by the nutrition professionals defined as follows:
Infants and children
- Birth to 3 years of age: 0.1 to 1.5 (mg).
- 4 to 6 years of age: 1 to 2.5 mg.
- 7 to 10 years of age: 1.5 to 2.5 mg.
Adolescents and adults
- 1.5 to 4 mg.
Remember:
- The total daily amount of fluoride includes what you get from the beverages, foods, and supplements
- The total amount of fluoride shouldn’t be greater than the daily allowed amounts defined above. Too much fluoride could can cause serious problems with your bones and teeth
Fluoride can be found in some of the following dosage forms:
- Tablet, Chewable
- Liquid
- Gel/Jelly
- Lozenge/Troche
- Paste
- Solution
- Cream
- Tablet, Enteric Coated
- Tablet
Fluoride can be found in some of the following products:
US Brand Name
- Aquafresh
- Control Rx
- Dentall 1100 Plus
- Fluoridex Daily Defense Enhanced Whitening
- Denta 5000 Plus
- CaviRinse
- Fluorabon
- APF Gel
- Fluor-A-Day
- Fluoridex Daily Defense
- Dentagel
- EtheDent
Canadian Brand Name
- Pedi-Dent
- Fluorosol
- Koala Pals Fluoride Tooth Gel – Berrylicious Flavor