Fluoride strengthens teeth, however it can also cause discoloration in teeth, so should you supplement fluoride? That is a good question. The ADA recommends fluoride for many reasons.

Many years ago, cavities and decay were a pretty standard way of teeth. People just dealt with the pain until the tooth was pulled out or fell out. As time moved on, there were options to remove some of the decay and cavities through the primitive but still dental procedures of scraping, removing and filling with amalgam silver fillings.

Now as time has progressed and research has been completed, it has been found that Fluoride is a natural way to protect the teeth against decay. This decay is caused from the bacteria that lives in our saliva, and is increased when we eat and drink.

Fluoride is also known to repair the early stages of decay in addition to preventing it. This is why it is in many pastes and gels that we use to brush our teeth. It is a great way to protect and strengthen our teeth.

Fluoride is a mineral that is found in water. Just like any other mineral or vitamin it is safe is used correctly. The ion named fluoride comes from the element fluorine. Fluorine is one of the most abundant elements on earth. This element will only live in existence with other elements in a compound.

There are several ways that the decay and cavities are prevented with fluoride. Here are some information about each of the ways the fluoride protects our teeth.

Stronger teeth: The structure of the tooth surface is made stronger. Therefore it is able to withstand invasion of germs and bacteria in addition to impact and the pressure we apply through eating.
Repair and re-mineralize: the fluoride acts as a repair machine in the areas that plaque starts to decay the tooth by killing a great deal of the bacteria that is creating the plaque.
Tooth surface barrier: A barrier is build with fluoride on the tooth to repel any bacteria that is trying to attach to the tooth.

There are two ways that fluoride can be used for dental care and tooth protection. First there is topical and systemic.

Topical fluoride is like toothpaste and much washes that re used.
Systemic is like the pills, drops or lozenges you take and the water you drink.

Your dentist will be able to evaluate your dental situation and decide what amount is needed. Usually as adults, the toothpaste with fluoride is sufficient. However for children, often times your dentist will prescribe fluorine tablets.

Children under the age of two should not use a fluoride toothpaste, however over two years old children and adults should be using a fluoride toothpaste. Your dentist is probably using a sealant that has fluorine in it also. That is one of the benefits of keeping your every six-month check up and cleaning with your dentist.

Here is a chart that shows the basic amounts of fluoride that is recommended by the ADA for healthy and strong teeth.

    Fluoride Ion Level in Drinking Water (ppm)*
 Age    Greater than 0.3 ppm    In between 0.3-0.6 ppm    Less than 0.6 ppm
Birth-6 months    Not required    Not required    Not required
6 months-3 years    0.25 mg/day**    Not required    Not required
3-6 years    0.50 mg/day    0.25 mg/day    Not required
6-16 years    1.0 mg/day    0.50 mg/day    Not required
* 1.0 ppm = 1 mg/liter
** 2.2 mg sodium fluoride contains 1 mg fluoride ion.

Using fluoride is a safe healthy way to protect your teeth. It is important to work with your dentist to find out what the best action plan is for your good oral health and the oral health of your children. If the water you drink does not meet the recommend amounts of fluoride, then your dentist can prescribe other options for maintaining the best level of protection.