How Fluoride Protect Teeth

Often we hear the fluoride content in all dental and oral care products, ranging from toothpaste to mouthwash. But this is actually how the substances work in protecting fluoride tooth?

Research about the fluoride from the beginning to the end of the 20th century stated, fluoride plays a role in the process of re-mineralization of enamel coating on teeth. This makes the enamel stronger and resistant to decay caused by acid from bacteria. As already known, the bacteria will secrete acids that cause tooth loss.

Meanwhile, a new study indicates that fluoride does not go as deep into the enamel that for decades researchers know. It then raises questions for researchers, how exactly fluoride works to protect teeth from the risk of loss.

A recent study by scientists at German universities with the institute of microbiology and experimental physics department of Saarland University showed that fluoride actually prevents the ability of bacteria to attach to the teeth.

While not brushing your teeth, the formation of a layer of film on the teeth. This raises the plaque layer that consists of millions of bacteria. The bacteria then produce acids that cause cavities.

In a study published in the journal Langmuir, the researchers used artificial teeth to be brushed and cleaned more easily. They want to know how fluoride works to inhibit the ability of bacteria to attach to the outer layer of the teeth.

They carried out tests on this theory using three types of bacteria, such as Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus oralis, and Staphylococcus carnosus. The third of these bacteria are known as the bacteria that cause tooth loss.

"What's interesting is apparently fluoride can weaken the ability of bacteria to adhere to teeth in general," explained the researchers.

Fluoride is a chemical compound that is recommended for oral health in the middle of the last century. Fluoride helps millions of people in the world in reducing the risk of tooth loss so beneficial to health.