fluoride
n. uncountablen. a chemical substance often added to toothpaste and drinking water to help keep your teeth strong and prevent decay.
n. a chemical compound containing fluorine, typically used in public health to strengthen tooth enamel and reduce dental caries.
Most dentists recommend using a toothpaste that contains fluoride.
The city council debated whether to continue adding fluoride to the local water supply to improve public dental health.
While fluoride is naturally occurring in many water sources, its concentration is often adjusted in municipal systems to reach levels proven to inhibit the demineralisation of tooth enamel.
From fluor(ine) + -ide.
Uncountable in its general sense; can be countable when referring to specific chemical salts in a laboratory context.