What is fluoride and where can I find it?

Fluoride is a natural mineral which is found in many foods and in drinking water. However, the amount of fluoride found in water does depend on your location.

What are the benefits of fluoride on dental health?

Studies have repeatedly shown that when fluoride is added to water, tooth decay decreases. Fluoride helps to strengthen tooth enamel by replenishing lost calcium and phosphorous helping to make your teeth more resistant to tooth decay. It also helps reduce the amount of acid that bacteria on your teeth produce.

Fluoride toothpaste

Brushing your teeth thoroughly with a fluoride toothpaste is one of the most effective ways of preventing tooth decay.¹ Toothpastes containing 1350-1500 ppm fluoride are the most effective.¹

Take a look at what concentration of fluoride you should be using when brushing your teeth, depending on your age:¹

Age	Advice
Children under 3 years old	Brush twice daily with a smear of toothpaste containing no less than 1000 ppm fluoride
Children 3-6 years old	Brush at least twice daily with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste containing more than 1000 ppm fluoride
Adults	Brush at least twice daily with a toothpaste containing 1350-1500 ppm fluoride

 

Oralieve Dry Mouth Relief

If you suffer from a dry mouth you may be at an increased risk of developing signs of tooth decay due to a lack of saliva in the mouth to wash away food debris, reharden teeth and prevent decay. In fact, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation, 30% of all tooth decay in older adults is caused by having a dry mouth. Oralieve Ultra Mild Toothpaste contains 1450 ppm fluoride to help fight tooth decay. It has been carefully formulated to be free from ingredients that can irritate a dry mouth further including foaming agents, strong ingredients or alcohol.

Reference: 1. Fluoride. NHS Choices. Available from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fluoride/. Accessed on 26/01/18.