Ingredients --

Sodium fluoride

Chemical Formula: NaF

Synonyms

Description

White crystals.

Uses

Sodium fluoride is used in toothpastes and dental rinses to protect tooth enamel from attack by bacteria (cavities, also known as caries).

The active part of the molecule is the fluoride ion, which is why two other fluorine containing compounds, stannous fluoride (tin fluoride), and sodium monofluorophosphate are also used.

Fluorides work in two ways. They reduce the ability of bacteria to make acids, and they remineralize the areas of the tooth that have been attacked by acids from bacteria.

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By Simon Quellen Field