Fluoride is a chemical found in many substances. In the human body, fluoride acts to prevent tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel and inhibiting the growth of plaque-forming bacteria. After researchers discovered this characteristic of fluoride,...

A halide ION of FLUORINE. It is used predominantly as an additive in toothpaste as a protective against dental caries and is also added to public water supplies in some areas for the same purpose at concentrations of around 1 part per million. Its...

MEDICINE Viewpoint: Yes, the evidence is clear that significant concentrations of fluoride in drinking water cause harm to humans. Viewpoint: No, the addition of small amounts of fluoride to drinking water does not cause significant harm to humans and...

Fluoride is the ionic form of fluorine. Fluorides are organic and inorganic compounds containing the element fluorine. As a halogen, fluorine forms a monovalent ion (−1 charge). Fluoride forms a binary compound with another element or radical....

Is all fluoride bad? No. Direct application of fluoride to the teeth puts the fluoride where it is most needed and in the concentration most compatible. Dr. Paul Keyes, retired director of the Dental Division of the National Institutes of Health, has published findings...

Fluoridation of the water supply, which has done much to reduce the incidence of cavities in young people, is one of the great public health successes of this century. But 2.5 million people in Massachusetts do not benefit from fluoridated water in their communities,...

Dental health may not be getting any worse for Oregon children, but dentists say they see few signs that it is improving."I've seen a lot of it for a long time," said Dr. Cate Quas, a pediatric dentist in Bend who treats many Oregon Health...