Dental Cleaning with Fluoride Treatment

Salt fluoridation and oral health
Thomas M Marthaler 1
Affiliations expand
PMID: 24308394 DOI: 10.5644/ama2006-124.82
Free article
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to make known the potential of fluoridated salt in community oral health programs, particularly in South Eastern Europe. Since 1922, the addition of iodine to salt has been successful in Switzerland. Goiter is virtually extinct. By 1945, the caries-protective effect of fluorides was well established. Based on the success of water fluoridation, a gynecologist started adding of fluoride to salt. The sale of fluoridated salt began in 1956 in the Swiss Canton of Zurich, and several other cantons followed suit. Studies initiated in the early seventies showed that fluoride, when added to salt, inhibits dental caries. The addition of fluoride to salt for human consumption was officially authorized in 1980-82. In Switzerland 85% of domestic salt consumed is fluoridated and 67% in Germany. Salt fluoridation schemes are reaching more than one hundred million in Mexico, Colombia, Peru and Cuba. The cost of salt fluoridation is very low, within 0.02 and 0.05 € per year and capita. Children and adults of the low socio-economic strata tend to have substantially more untreated caries than higher strata. Salt fluoridation is by far the cheapest method for improving oral health.

Conclusion: Salt fluoridation has cariostatic potential like water fluoridation (caries reductions up to 50%). In Europe, meaningful percentages of users have been attained only in Germany (67%) and Switzerland (85%). In Latin America, there are more than 100 million users, and several countries have arrived at coverage of 90 to 99%. Salt fluoridation is by far the cheapest method of caries prevention, and billions of people throughout the world could benefit from this method.

BisbeeGal wrote:I do not know the answer to your question (sorry!).

Did you know that Mexico puts fluoride in its table salt?  So do other countries.

Counties with salt fluoridation

Salt fluoridation and oral health
Thomas M Marthaler 1
Affiliations expand
PMID: 24308394 DOI: 10.5644/ama2006-124.82
Free article

Cleveland Clinic wrote:Yes. When used properly, fluoride is one of the best ways to strengthen your enamel and reduce your risk of cavities. Ask your dentist for product recommendations and how often you should get fluoride treatments.

Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in water and many foods. Dentists harness the power of fluoride to strengthen your tooth enamel and reduce your risk of cavities. While large amounts of fluoride can be dangerous, it’s very difficult to reach toxic levels with properly fluoridated water and over-the-counter products that contain fluoride. Talk to your dentist to learn more and find out if you need professional fluoride treatments.

US Dental wrote:In general, fluoride is safe for people of all ages, but it just takes some careful monitoring of the younger ones to make sure that they don’t swallow the toothpaste foam or ingest any supplements. Other than that, it is an extremely low-to-no-risk way of keeping your mouth cavity-free or any possible decay from worsening. Your mouth will thank you for using it.