A groundbreaking study by researchers from the University of Washington and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) has uncovered significant insights into how fluoride interacts with tooth enamel as we age. Using a cutting-edge technique called atom probe tomography, the research team analyzed the atomic composition of enamel from two human teeth—one from a 22-year-old and one from a 56-year-old—to investigate how fluoride levels change over time. The results, published in Communications Materials on December 19, 2024, could pave the way for new strategies in dental care and better understanding of aging in teeth.
Enamel, the hard, protective outer layer of teeth, plays a vital role in defending against wear and tear caused by chewing. However, unlike other tissues in the body, enamel cannot repair itself. As we age, the mineral composition of enamel can change, leading to increased brittleness, particularly at the surface where cracks often begin to form.
To explore how fluoride, a key element in dental care products like toothpaste and drinking water, is absorbed into enamel over time, the researchers focused on atomic-level changes. They discovered that older teeth (specifically from the 56-year-old participant) had significantly higher levels of fluoride, particularly in the outer “shell” regions of the enamel structure.
“We know that fluoride is commonly added to toothpaste and drinking water to help protect enamel, but we haven’t been able to track its actual integration into teeth over time until now,” said Dr. Jack Grimm, lead author of the study and a doctoral student at the University of Washington. “This research allows us to paint a more detailed picture of how fluoride is incorporated into enamel and how it might help prevent decay as we age.”
The study’s key innovation lies in the use of atom probe tomography, a technique that enables researchers to map each atom in a sample in three dimensions. This level of precision allows the team to observe the distribution of fluoride and other minerals in enamel with unprecedented detail.
“Previous research only looked at enamel on a larger scale, but at that level, we couldn’t see the fine distribution of minerals like fluoride,” explained Dwayne Arola, co-senior author of the study and a professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Washington. “By zooming in to the atomic scale, we were able to gain insights into how the fluoride is distributed throughout the crystalline structure of enamel, particularly in the regions closest to the surface.”
For the study, the team examined enamel from two teeth—one from a 22-year-old and one from a 56-year-old—and created three samples from each tooth. These samples were analyzed to measure the mineral content in the core, shell, and the space between the layers of the enamel. The results revealed that fluoride levels were markedly higher in the shell areas of the older tooth, indicating the accumulation of fluoride over time.
This study, while still in its early stages, has far-reaching implications for how we approach dental care, especially as it pertains to aging teeth. While the research team acknowledges that this is just the beginning, their findings highlight the importance of fluoride in maintaining dental health over the years.
“Fluoride continues to be a cornerstone of dental care, and this study shows that it plays a significant role in preserving enamel as we age,” said Cameron Renteria, co-author and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Washington. “The next step is to understand how other factors, such as diet, lifestyle, and environmental influences, may affect this process and how we can use that information to improve dental care strategies.”
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