Abstract
Fluoride is one of the main ingredients of modern toothpaste and has a proven record of preventing dental decay, especially among children. The history, need and development of adding fluoride based inorganic compounds in the toothpaste for preventing dental decay is presented in this article. The fine balance required for maintaining healthy teeth and at the same time preventing dental and skeletal fluorosis by controlling the amount of fluoride intake is discussed. The chemistry behind prevention of dental decay by fluoride in relation to the minerals hydroxyapatite and fluorapatite is presented. The requirement of soluble calcium in the diet and its role in removing excess fluoride when consumed is highlighted.
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Acknowledgements
A. J. Elias thanks Ms. N. Rajareethigha, a class XII student at The Mother’s International School, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi-110016, India, for drawing the artwork presented in this article. A. J. Elias also thanks DST SERB India for their sanction of the research grant [CRG 2019/000013] having scientific social responsibility component for publishing educative articles for scientific audience.
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Anil J. Elias is the Institute Chair Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi. He is also the recipient of the INSA Teacher Award by the Indian National Science Academy.
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Elias, A.J. How Did the Fluoride Get Into Your Toothpaste?. Reson 27, 1869–1879 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12045-022-1485-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12045-022-1485-0