Many people in Dammam, Al-Khobar and across the Eastern Province drink desalinated or bottled water, and the amount of fluoride in it varies from one source to another, so you cannot assume it is enough to protect your teeth, or that it is too much. The good news is that for most people the most important source of fluoride is fluoride toothpaste, not water. For people at higher risk of decay, a dentist can decide whether extra protection is needed.
Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and makes it more resistant to the acids bacteria produce from sugar. It also helps repair early decay before it becomes a cavity. In some countries a low, measured amount of fluoride is added to the public water supply as a general preventive measure.
Desalination of seawater removes most salts and minerals, including fluoride, and some minerals may be added back depending on how the water is treated. So the fluoride level in the water reaching homes varies, and there is no single figure that applies to every area or every time.
If you drink bottled water, the easiest way is to read the label. Most brands print a mineral analysis that includes fluoride in milligrams per litre, and you will notice the numbers vary a lot between brands: some are very low and some higher.
Other points worth noting:
Whatever water you drink, brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste is the foundation. For adults, toothpaste containing 1350 to 1500 parts per million fluoride is usually recommended, and the strength is normally printed on the tube.
How you use it matters just as much: brush for two minutes, then spit out the toothpaste without rinsing with water straight away, so the fluoride stays on your teeth longer. Avoid eating and drinking for a short while after brushing at bedtime.
In Ramadan, brush after iftar and before bed or after suhoor, because long fasting hours with a dry mouth make this protection even more important.
Children need fluoride to protect their teeth, but in the right amount, because their permanent teeth are still forming. So:
Some people are more prone to decay than others: those with repeated cavities, a dry mouth from medicines or not drinking enough water, fixed braces, receding gums exposing the roots, or frequent sweetened drinks and sugary coffee and tea throughout the day.
They may benefit from extra measures chosen by the dentist, such as fluoride varnish at the clinic, a fluoride mouthwash for adults, or a higher-strength toothpaste available only on prescription. The aim is not to add fluoride at random, but to match protection to each person's level of risk.
It is not necessary for most people, because fluoride toothpaste provides the basic protection. If you have questions about water for infants or children, ask your dentist or paediatrician.
The filter does not harm your teeth, but some types remove fluoride from the water. This is not a big problem if you use fluoride toothpaste regularly.
They may be early decay, mild fluorosis from too much fluoride while the teeth were forming, or an enamel defect. They cannot be told apart without an examination, so see a dentist.
See a dentist if you or your children keep getting cavities despite brushing, or if you notice white or brown spots on the teeth, increasing sensitivity or a persistently dry mouth. At the visit you can ask which fluoride sources suit your family and whether you need extra protection. You can book an appointment at Medical Care Clinics in Al-Shati Al-Gharbi, Dammam, close to Al-Khobar and Dhahran, where our dental team will assess your decay risk and suggest a suitable prevention plan.
This article is general health education and does not replace a medical examination. Every case needs its own assessment by a doctor.
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