Fluorine can be found on the Periodic Table as the ninth element. Fluoride is a chemical derived from the element fluorine. The chemical fluoride is defined as a compound of fluorine with another element or group, especially a salt of the anion F or an organic compound with fluorine bonded to an alkyl group. Fluoride is also the simplest anion of fluorine. Today fluoride is most widely known as being used to prevent tooth decay in the United States. The fluoride-containing compounds that are most commonly used in systematic and topical fluoride therapy for preventing tooth decay are sodium fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate. These two compounds are used in many products associated with dental hygiene, such as toothpaste as mouthwash, as well as for water fluoridation. Water fluoridation is the adding of fluoride to the public water supply …show more content…
Sometimes defluoridation of water is necessary when the fluoride that occurs naturally in the water exceeds the recommended limits. The use of fluoridation of water limits the amounts of cavities found in both children and adults. Studies estimated a reduction between 18 and 40 percent in cavities when water fluoridation is introduced to those who already have access to dental products such as toothpaste and mouthwash which typically contain other sources of fluoride. Public water fluoridation was first introduced by the Unites States and now is being practiced by other countries to make sure that their water is consistent with the recommended levels of fluoride. Fluoride is also used in the medical community to treat weakened bones caused by osteoporosis and it is used for preventing bone loss in people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s