"It started as an observation, that soon took the shape of an idea. It ended, five decades later, as a scientific revolution that shot dentistry into the forefront of preventive medicine. This is the story of how dental science discovered -and ultimately proved to the world- that fluoride, a mineral found in rocks and soil, prevents tooth decay. Although dental caries remains a public health worry, it is no longer the unbridled problem it once was, thanks to fluoride."
             Fluoride is a compound of the element fluorine, which is found universally throughout nature in water, soil, and in most foods. Existing abundantly in living tissue as an ion, fluoride is absorbed easily into tooth enamel, especially in children's growing teeth. Once teeth are developed, fluoride makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay and promotes remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before the damage is even visible.
             "Topical" fluoride is found in products containing strong concentrations of fluoride to fight tooth decay. These products. including dentrifices like toothpastes and mouthrinses containing fluoride. are applied directly to the teeth and are then expectorated or rinsed from the mouth without swallowing. (Dentists recommend brushing with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day or after every meal combined with a regimen of flossing and regular dental checkups.) Toothpaste (similar to water) is one of the common ways of fluoride delivery for an average household. Many toothpastes share common ingredients. The average toothpaste is about 75umectant and water, 20% abrasive (silica or powdered calcium), 1-2 foaming and flavoring agents, 1-2 0x80ca210H buffers, 1-1.5oloring agents, binders and opacifiers, and 0.1-0.3 0.000000luoride. Most fluoride toothpastes contain stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride or monofluoride phosphate (MFP).(http://dentistry.about.com/health/dentisry/m.) So, why is fluoride so effective?
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