Fluoride

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Fluoride fights cavities in part by decreasing demineralization ( 21 ) and increasing remineralization. ( 22 ) (Also see below.) The element fluorine, the most chemically reactive of the halogens, will bind almost any other element to form a fluoride. ("ide" on the end means there is an ionic compound of two elements. So, there are different fluorides depending on what other element binds with fluorine.) Think of fluorine as super sticky dust that grabs everything nearby. It helps glue minerals into your teeth and to keep them there. So far, so good! Fluorine's reactive property also causes it to inhibit the function of some enzymes (like enolase) essential to bacteria's ability to produce acid. Acid from bacteria causes loss of minerals from the tooth and eventually a hole or cavity, so stopping the acid production sounds nice as well ... until you realize that we humans have enzymes too I had frequent treatments as a kid. I still recall eating red fluoride pills. Am I now being overly cautious by avoiding fluoride? Perhaps I am jeopardizing the health of my teeth as some dentists claim, but based on my research my personal choice has been to avoid it. I've avoided it for years due to claims of weakened bones ( 30 ), a lowered IQ ( 31 ), cancer ( 32 ), thyroid dysfunction ( 33 ), anemia ( 34 ), liver disease ( 35 ), heart disease ( 36 ), Down's syndrome ( 37 ), and others. Many hold that fluoride is a politically protected poisonous industrial waste. I've also read startling reports that fluoride is a byproduct of atomic bomb production. ( 38 ) Documents obtained by researchers seem to support the claim that it was sold to the public as beneficial to teeth with bogus studies in order to protect early military interests. Believe this part or not, but my personal experience is that I healed five cavities without fluoride. No matter where you stand on the fluoride debate, it seems most reasonable to focus on the cause of cavities, the microscopic tooth eating beastliest themselves.