Fluoride works with calcium to reduce and eliminate dental caries, or decay. This is a disease that can result from high sugar diets and improper cleaning, and one that has become more relevant in sugar hungry populations.

The health of teeth and bones often go hand in hand; fluoride also helps to keep our bones strong.

A fluoride deficiency can result in more dental caries, weaker bones and may also effect eyesight. However, a fluoride deficiency is rare in countries where the fortification of water is mandatory, and it’s squeezed into packet after packet of toothpaste. It is also uncommon in other parts of the world, where the fluoridation of water is not implemented, but fluoridation of salt or toothpaste still occur.

A fluoride deficiency is difficult to measure. Dental caries are prevalent in all nations, and oral hygiene along with diet, can also have a large impact on this.