Systemic Fluoride is ...

Systemic Fluoride is ...

• A. Fluoride that is ingested and circulated throughout the body
• B. Fluoride that is applied directly to the tooth
• C. A coloring agent that shows plaque
• D. A coating for pits and fissures

Answer: (A)

Systemic fluoride is fluoride that is ingested and circulated throughout the body. When you swallow fluoride, it is absorbed and carried in the bloodstream to developing teeth and bones. As teeth form and mineralize, fluoride can become part of the enamel structure (forming fluoroapatite), making the enamel more resistant to acidic decay. This is different from topical fluoride, which is applied directly to the tooth surface to protect teeth that have already erupted. The other options describe a plaque-disclosing agent and a sealant, not fluoride.

Systemic fluoride is fluoride that is ingested and circulated throughout the body. When you swallow fluoride, it is absorbed and carried in the bloodstream to developing teeth and bones. As teeth form and mineralize, fluoride can become part of the enamel structure (forming fluoroapatite), making the enamel more resistant to acidic decay. This is different from topical fluoride, which is applied directly to the tooth surface to protect teeth that have already erupted. The other options describe a plaque-disclosing agent and a sealant, not fluoride.