The American Dental Association recommends that an adult female should consume 3.0 mg of fluoride (F^-) per day to prevent tooth decay. If the fluoride is consumed in the form of sodium fluoride (45.24% F), what amount of sodium fluoride contains the recommended amount of fluoride?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the percentage of fluoride in sodium fluoride, which is given as 45.24%.
2. Set up a proportion to find the mass of sodium fluoride (NaF) that contains 3.0 mg of fluoride. Use the formula: \( \frac{\text{mass of F}}{\text{mass of NaF}} = \frac{45.24}{100} \).
3. Rearrange the proportion to solve for the mass of NaF: \( \text{mass of NaF} = \frac{\text{mass of F}}{\text{percentage of F}} \times 100 \).
4. Substitute the given mass of fluoride (3.0 mg) into the equation: \( \text{mass of NaF} = \frac{3.0 \text{ mg}}{45.24} \times 100 \).
5. Calculate the mass of sodium fluoride needed to provide 3.0 mg of fluoride.

Key Concepts

Fluoride and Its Role in Dental Health

Fluoride is a mineral that helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel and making it more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria in the mouth. The American Dental Association recommends a daily intake of fluoride to maintain optimal dental health, particularly for adults, as it plays a crucial role in remineralizing teeth and reducing cavities.

Sodium Fluoride Composition

Sodium fluoride (NaF) is a compound that contains fluoride ions. The percentage of fluoride in sodium fluoride is important for calculating the amount needed to meet dietary recommendations. In this case, sodium fluoride is composed of 45.24% fluoride, meaning that for every 100 grams of sodium fluoride, 45.24 grams are fluoride ions, which is essential for determining the correct dosage.

Calculating Dosage from Percentage Composition

To find the amount of sodium fluoride needed to provide a specific amount of fluoride, one must use the percentage composition of fluoride in sodium fluoride. This involves setting up a proportion where the desired fluoride amount (3.0 mg) is related to the percentage of fluoride in sodium fluoride (45.24%). By rearranging the equation, one can solve for the total mass of sodium fluoride required to achieve the recommended fluoride intake.