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How does fluoridation help reduce tooth decay?

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How does fluoridation help reduce tooth decay?

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Fluoridation helps to protect against tooth decay in two main ways. First, during tooth formation, while the teeth are still in the gum, fluoride is built into the teeth before they emerge from the gum. Fluoride in the outer enamel helps to make the enamel stronger and more resistant to the acids produced by the breakdown of dietary sugars, that attack it during eating and drinking. Secondly, once a tooth has come through into the mouth, the acids attack the tooth and dissolve some of its surface. However, if fluoride is present in the plaque and tooth surface, it reduces the damaging effect of the acid and helps the saliva to repair any damage. Fluoride in the plaque speeds up this process and completes the repair before the next acid attack. Research has shown that the best protection against tooth decay is to have a continual supply of small amounts of fluoride in the mouth.

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