Fluoride Multiple Choice

Adults do continue to benefit from fluoride even after tooth eruption. Fluoride helps to prevent tooth decay by strengthening the enamel and making it more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria and sugars in the mouth. It can also help to remineralize early stages of tooth decay. Therefore, it is important for adults to continue using fluoride toothpaste, mouth rinses, and receiving professional fluoride treatments to maintain good oral health.

Defluoridation is the process of lowering the amount of fluoride in fluoridated water to an optimum level in order to prevent fluorosis. Fluorosis is a condition that occurs when excessive fluoride is consumed, leading to dental and skeletal problems. By removing excess fluoride from the water, defluoridation helps to ensure that the water is safe for consumption and does not pose a risk to public health.

Fluoride has several topical effects in preventing dental caries. It inhibits demineralization by strengthening the tooth enamel and making it more resistant to acid attacks. It also enhances remineralization by promoting the incorporation of minerals into the tooth structure. Additionally, fluoride inhibits bacterial activity by interfering with the metabolism and growth of bacteria in the mouth. However, fluoride does not decrease oral pH. In fact, it can help maintain a neutral pH in the mouth by buffering the acids produced by bacteria.

Dental fluorosis is a condition caused by excessive fluoride intake during tooth development, resulting in changes in the appearance of tooth enamel. It typically presents as areas of very white or brown stains on the teeth, pitting of the enamel surface, or enamel that is whiter than normal. A slight green stain at the gingival margin is not a sign of dental fluorosis and is therefore the exception in this case.

Systemic fluoride refers to fluoride that is ingested and then distributed throughout the body via the bloodstream. The question asks where approximately 99% of this systemic fluoride is retained, and the correct answer is mineralized tissues. Mineralized tissues include teeth and bones, which have a high affinity for fluoride and can retain a significant amount of it. This is why fluoride is often recommended for dental health, as it can help strengthen tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay.

Grand Rapids, Michigan was an original research city for fluoride in 1945. This means that it was one of the first cities to conduct research on the effects of fluoride and its potential benefits for dental health. The city likely implemented a water fluoridation program or conducted studies to determine the impact of fluoride on dental caries.

The statement is false because most bottled water does not contain fluoride. Fluoride is typically found in tap water, as it is added to promote dental health. However, many brands of bottled water go through a filtration process that removes fluoride along with other impurities. Therefore, it is not accurate to say that most bottled water contains fluoride.

Dental Fluorosis is a condition that affects the teeth due to excessive fluoride intake. It can occur when fluoride levels in drinking water are above a certain threshold. The correct answer, 2 ppm, suggests that Dental Fluorosis can begin when fluoride levels in water are over 2 parts per million. This means that if the fluoride concentration in drinking water exceeds this level, individuals may be at risk of developing Dental Fluorosis.

The accepted range of fluoride levels in drinking water by the U.S Public Health Service prior to January 2011 was between 0.7 and 1.2 parts per million (ppm).

Skeletal fluorosis is a condition that occurs due to excessive fluoride intake over a long period of time. It is characterized by the accumulation of fluoride in the bones, leading to bone and joint pain, stiffness, and deformities. The threshold level at which skeletal fluorosis is seen in drinking water is considered to be 20 ppm (parts per million) of fluoride. When the fluoride concentration in drinking water exceeds this level, there is an increased risk of developing skeletal fluorosis.