What’s All The Fuss About Fluoride?

For more than 75 years, scientific evidence has supported fluoridation as safe and effective in preventing tooth decay.

What is Fluoride?

It’s a naturally occurring mineral found in rocks, soil, water and many foods.

A little history –

Way back in 1901, Frederick McKay, a young dentist, left the East Coast and opened a dental practice in Colorado Springs, CO. He noticed many patients had severe brown stains on their teeth which he had never before seen. He could not find any mention of this in the dental literature. In 1909 a renowned dental researcher Dr. G.V. Black went to Colorado Springs to collaborate on this research into “Colorado Brown Stain.”

They eventually discovered that 90% of that city’s locally born children had signs of brown stains. This ‘mottled enamel’ resulted from developmental imperfections in children’s teeth. They also noted that those afflicted with the Colorado Brown Stain were surprisingly resistant to decay.

It took many years and much research and eventually in 1931 fluorides were discovered in water supplies and it was high levels of fluoride that resulted in the discoloration of tooth enamel.

In 1944 Grand Rapids, MI was the first city in the world to fluoridate its drinking water. The decay rate dropped more than 60%. This scientific breakthrough transformed dentistry into a preventive oriented profession. Since 1962 the United States Public Health Service has recommended a 0.7mg/L concentration. This is a very low and safe level supported by numerous scientific studies to prevent tooth decay in children and adults.

Fluoridation of community water is supported by the American Dental Association, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association and the World Health Organization

T O P I C A L F L U O R I D E S

Fluoride in Our Toothpaste: strengthens enamel, it protects teeth against demineralization.

Demineralization is when bacteria + sugar = acid, which erodes tooth structure. Fluoride promotes Remineralization, bringing calcium and phosphate ions to the teeth

• Children under age 6yrs must be supervised and swallowing of toothpaste discouraged
• Use only a pea sized amount of toothpaste between ages 3-6 yrs
• Children under age 3yrs should use a rice-sized amount of toothpaste

Fluoride Mouthrinse – for home use, as directed, not to be swallowed

Fluoride Gel or Varnish – provided by your dentist, usually following a cleaning

Guess what?

Fluoride is not Just for Kids! Adults can reap the wonderful benefits of fluoride too!

Adults often have issues making them more cavity prone. They can develop ‘dry mouth’, in which the body produces a lot less saliva. Saliva helps keep our teeth clean and without it, cavities develop easily and quickly. Dry mouth is associated with some syndromes, can result after radiation treatment to the head and neck, is a side effect of many commonly used medications, and is sometimes a natural result of aging.

Some adults, especially the elderly can develop bad habits such as more frequent snacking and increased intake of sweets and hard candies. Often their ability to care for their teeth properly becomes compromised. Many elderly adults also still have all of their own teeth, but then continue to get cavities as they age.

Fluoride can be a tremendous help for these people in particular. Fluoride varnish treatments are recommended for these compromised adults with every regular dental cleaning. Prescription strength fluoride toothpaste is also available and often recommended for maximum protection for those at high risk for decay.

Not everyone lives in an area with fluoridated water. Fluoride supplements are available only by prescription from your dentist or physician and are recommended for children between 6 months and 16 years who live in areas with little or no fluoride in the water. Most bottled waters do not have fluoride and if it is not listed on the label, you should contact the bottler. A home water filter system might remove fluoride from the water. Reverse osmosis and distillation units remove almost all of the fluoride. Check with the product’s company to find out if the filter removes fluoride from your drinking water.

If you have a private well, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends that you test your water every year for safety and at least once every 3 years for water levels.