Clearing Up the Fluoride Controversy: Protecting Your Smile Amid Misinformation
Although the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommend using fluoridated water to protect your teeth, false and misleading information about fluoride’s safety has spread. At Beckham Square Family Dental, we support this recommendation and are dedicated to educating our patients on the importance of fluoride. We discuss the benefits of fluoride and address the most common myths about fluoridated water.
Where Fluoride Comes From
Fluoride naturally occurs in groundwater, soil, and rocks. Some tap water naturally contains fluoride, while many communities in the United States add fluoride to their drinking water through water fluoridation. You can also get adequate amounts of fluoride from toothpaste and mouthwash containing the mineral, which are widely available in pharmacies and grocery stores.
A dentist or dental hygienist at Beckham Square Family Dental in Cincinnati can help you get adequate amounts of fluoride if you live in an area without fluoridated water. They can recommend receiving fluoride treatment in the office, taking fluoride tablets, or applying fluoride gels or varnishes directly on your teeth.
How Fluoride Prevents Tooth Decay
Dental experts widely agree that, in healthy amounts, fluoride is good for oral health, especially in preventing cavities. Young children and people of all ages can benefit from fluoride, whether from groundwater or fluoridated toothpaste.
Even in the early stages of tooth decay, fluoride can stop and even reverse the damage to the enamel. It does so by arresting the growth of the bacteria that cause cavities. In this process, fluoride also helps strengthen enamel, the outer layer of teeth. When early tooth decay occurs, fluoride can replenish the minerals in teeth that are depleted.
If you can prevent cavities and address tooth decay early enough, you can reduce or eliminate the need for fillings, root canals, or tooth extractions at your local dentist’s office. You also significantly strengthen your teeth and improve your overall oral health.
The Controversy Around Groundwater Fluoridation
There is significant misinformation surrounding water fluoridation. Some public figures and community leaders have fueled a small but growing opposition to community-wide water fluoridation, contributing to individuals’ and families’ concerns about fluoride safety.
First, here are the facts about water fluoridation. Most natural water sources contain some fluoride, but not enough to fight cavities when consumed. That’s why many cities and municipalities voluntarily add fluoride to their water, with some doing so since the 1940s. Today, about 67 percent of people in the U.S., regardless of income, have access to fluoridated tap water.
Ten U.S. states have fewer than half of their residents who do not receive the recommended levels of fluoride from public water sources, excluding private wells. Experts have documented differences in oral health between communities with and without fluoridated water supplies. In cities or towns where fluoride is removed or insufficient, children, on average, need more cavity fillings, extractions, and root canals.
Can a Person Get Fluoride Poisoning?
Despite the advertised benefits of fluoridated water, some people and families worry about fluoride poisoning. There is definitely such a thing as too much fluoride, especially in children. Babies and kids under eight can develop dental fluorosis if they get too much fluoride while their teeth are forming. Symptoms of this condition are usually mild and include white spots on the teeth. More serious cases can cause dark stains or pits in the teeth. After age eight, the enamel of permanent teeth is usually fully formed, so dental fluorosis is no longer a concern.
Long-term exposure to excess fluoride in older children and adults may lead to skeletal fluorosis, characterized by bone and joint damage and pain. However, this condition is extremely rare in the U.S., and there is no evidence that it results from exposure to fluoridated water.
Does Fluoride Increase the Risk of Health Problems?
Researchers have extensively studied potential links between fluoride exposure and some forms of cancer, Down syndrome, kidney disease, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and several other conditions. Except for fluorosis, there is no increased risk at excessive levels. Decades of studies in the U.S. show that fluoride at the recommended level of 0.7 mg/L is safe and effective at promoting oral health.
Your Cincinnati Dentist Is Your Fluoride Partner
If you still have concerns about fluoride safety or want to make sure your child gets enough of this mineral, you can talk to us at Beckham Square Family Dental. Our dentists offer fluoride tablets and treatments for patients who don’t get enough fluoride from drinking water. We also encourage you to stay on top of all dental check-ups, which you can schedule via our online contact form.