As we saw earlier, fluoride ions help protect our teeth by reacting with hydroxylapatite to form fluorapatite. Ca5(PO4)3F. Because it has no hydroxide ion, fluorapatite is more resistant to attack by the acids in our mouth and thus dissolves less protecting our teeth. Scientists have discovered that naturally fluorinated water may exist It is beneficial for your teeth and adding fluoride to drinking water has become a common practice. Toothpastes and Mouthwashes also contain fluoride.

Unfortunately, excess fluoride can negate its benefits. Natural sources of drinking water in different areas there are different concentrations of fluoride in the world, and places with higher concentrations are likely certain health hazards in the absence of other sources of drinking water. The most serious side effects of excess Fluoride is a bone disease, skeletal fluorosis. When too much fluoride is in the body, it can cause joint damage Hardens and bones become thicker. It severely affects mobility and adversely affects the thyroid gland. Skeletal fluorosis is a condition that affects more than 2.7 million people worldwide. So can fluoridation protect our teeth from decay, the US Environmental Protection Agency's maximum level of 4 ppm (4 mg/L) Fluoride in drinking water in the US. Fluoride levels in water are not regulated in all countries; hence fluorosis areas with high levels of fluoride in groundwater are a problem.