How Does Fluoride Change Your Teeth?

Let's talk about how fluoride ions straight-up change the chemistry of your teeth.

[morganstock]

Have you considered that the acid sensitivity is as simple as the basicity of hydroxide vs the basicity of fluoride? going from pH 6 to pH 5, you'd see a 10x drop in hydroxide concentration, thus reducing the amount available to remineralize into hydroxapatite. fluoride, however, is a weak base and won't start to protonate until the pH drops below 4ish (given that the pKa of HF is around 3).

[drpaul-dentist]

I am a dentist and stumbled upon this post. Let me say that you did a wonderful job. Like one of the other correspondence, I too grabbed a toothbrush and brushed my teeth after viewing this post. You did ask for corrections and clarifications which is most commendable and thus I assume you follow scientific principles of getting things right. I ran this by a dental materials PhD. Here is his assessment of your explanation: "Apart from it being somewhat inaccurate, the topic is well presented. Fluoride has an anti-cavity effect, and the epidemiological evidence is good. However nobody knows precisely how or why it works. The solubility differences mentioned in the post is minute (x0.6). Fluoroapatite is not formed - CaF2 is. The solubility ratio is constant over a large pH range, and there is NO switch point: it is an artifact of bad data plotting and analysis. Do it right and the illusion vanishes. Tooth mineral is not Hydroxyapatite, but a biological apatite with many important differences. Remineralization is not actually true.
The fact is, it is an embarrassment to the folks that work on fluoride that they cannot explain the exact mechanism.
However we do know with great certainty that fluoride does reduce tooth decay and is safe in therapeutic doses."
Please note that I offer this as a constructive critique. I highly regard the manner with which you attempt to explain difficult and complex biological concepts in an understandable fashion for the lay public. Keep up the good work.

[janeenduff]

I am a retired dental hygiene educator. I am working on a presentation for nutrition students on oral health as it relates to cariology, dietary counseling and saliva testing. In preparation I've been viewing a lot of videos lately and THIS is short, to the point, simplified science and awesome for visual learners. Thank you so much!

[philp]

As a fellow biochemist, I love how you explain this stuff great job cant wait to see you make more!

[miccecca]

I’m glad you mention that over-fluoridated water can be toxic; while we know it to strengthen teeth, I‘d like to know more about what happens when it’s ingested.

[kevinjiang]

here before this channel becomes the next kurzgesagt ;)

[Annapolisz]

Your modesty and sense of humor make this already fascinating video even more lovable.

[CKTCation]

This was so fascinating and the animation is really beautiful. Amazing video - can't wait to see your next one!

[LongLiveTheDoors]

This was a great video! I just got my first huge cavity a week ago--dentist appointment is next week--and so I've been on an education binge on what to do to help treat it. You are exactly right that most coverage of the effects of fluoride end at just saying "do it, it makes your teeth stronger". That infuriates me to no end! I wanted to know WHY it works, and your video did an excellent job of clearing it up. I truly appreciate the work you put in, I'll be subscribing for sure!

[FrenkMelk]

so the exact mechanism of fluoride in tooth Health has been kind of an imponderable for me. this morning I finally decided to look on some YouTube videos for answers. I was very impressed with the angle you take and describing the processes and understanding that the limits of your personal knowledge are not bounded and open to review as well as editing from your peers. good job!

[flyingsquirrelproductions]

Coming from a biochem grad student, this channel is awesome!! Keep up the great work!

[jesseyvanbeek]

Amazing video, this explanation makes a lot of sense and I like the message in the end. Looking forward to your next video!

[javokhir]

Briefly about fluorine: the fluorine atom is small enough and has the highest electronegativity. As a result of the formation of bonds, the electron that took the fluorine is very close to the nucleus, and the screening effect is minimal. Therefore, it is much more difficult to expel fluorine from apatite than the hydroxyl group.

[bryanalexisleoncastillo]

Gorgeous video, loved the final message

[RasmusKramerSchou]

Banging video. Made me brush teeth instantly. Subbed

[jnmsdds]

I have a tooth that needs root canal and periodontal pockets. Every time I use fluoride toothpaste I get severe pain and inflammation, this doesn’t happen when using fluoride free toothpaste ever

[djt]

That was fun to listen to. Thank you for compounding knowledge.

[green]

Amazing. Subscribing a minute in, because this is just so good.

[svetlanacarver]

Amazing! Thanks for this video. It’s so easy to understand and learn about the different parts of the body. Can’t wait for your next video!! xx

[Gleb_espander]

Привет из Беларуси спасибо за это видео!