BOH Agenda 032520 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Expert Evaluation by Tim Wright DDS, MS The primary benefit from water fluoridation is the frequent contact of the fluoride ion in the water with the mineralized tooth tissue (enamel on crowns and cementum and dentin on root surfaces). This frequent contact allows tooth mineral to be re-deposited because fluoride is highly reactive, is attracted to the demineralized mineral where it binds and then the fluoride attracts deposition of calcium and phosphate ions that are deposited thus repairing the damaged tooth mineral. While it is believed that the primary anti-caries benefit of fluoride is from topical exposure on the tooth surface, there are other mechanisms that also contribute to caries reductions. When fluoride is consumed in drinking water, small amounts are secreted in saliva providing a continuous, albeit small, additional topical benefit (concentration in saliva is much lower than the level in community water). There is the additional benefit of fluoride exposure during tooth development that is associated with reduced dental caries. Epidemiological studies show that humans with mild to moderate fluorosis have a reduction in dental caries compared with similar control populations not having fluorosis.' Incorporation of fluoride into the tooth mineral makes the mineral less acid soluble and thus more resistant to dental caries.2 The incorporation of fluoride into enamel can occur topically after the tooth erupts but also occurs during tooth formation as fluoride is taken up by developing mineralized tissues. References: 1. McGrady MG, Ellwood RP, Maguire A, et al. The association between social deprivation and the prevalence and severity of dental caries and fluorosis in populations with and without water fluoridation. BMC Public Health 2012;12:1122. 2. Isaac S, Brudevold F, Smith FA, Gardner DE. Solubility rate and natural fluoride content of surface and subsurface enamel. J Dent Res 1958;37(2):254-63. 33