Fluoride
Dental Health
About Fluoride
Tooth decay has decreased a lot over the past few decades. The main reason is fluoride! Fluoride is a mineral naturally found in many water sources. It can be found in oceans, lakes, and rivers. Ideal levels of fluoride in the water help protect against tooth decay. Studies show that children who drank fluoridated water had 40-60% fewer cavities. Fluoride also helps protect against tooth decay in adults too.
Today fluoride is found in items such as toothpastes and mouthrinses. Fluoride has helped decrease the tooth decay rate 18% in children, and 35% among adults. According to Dr. David Satcher, Surgeon General, “Community Water Fluoridation remains one of the greatest achievements of public health in the 20th century. An inexpensive means of improving the oral health that benefits all residents of the community, young and old, rich and poor, alike.”
How Fluoride Works
Acid forms when bacteria in plaque begin to break down sugars and carbohydrates in foods. This acid bathes your teeth for twenty minutes after eating food. This causes the tooth enamel to wear down. Eventually tooth decay begins to happen. Fluoride works to repair or remineralize the areas where decay has begun. It strengthens the tooth structure and helps prevent future decay.
Forms of Fluoride
Fluoride is available in two forms: systemic and topical.
Topical fluoride is used to protect the teeth already present in the mouth. It is found in toothpaste, mouthrinses, varnish, and professionally applied therapies. Topical fluoride reduces plaque’s ability to produce acid. It also helps remineralize the teeth. This leaves the surface of the tooth stronger. The teeth are then more able to fight decay.
Systemic fluoride is swallowed or eaten. It will help make newly forming teeth stronger. It also offers topical protection because it is in the saliva. Many areas have fluoride already in the water. If your area does not have fluoridated water you can ask your dentist about fluoride tablets and prescriptions. This will help give your children the protective benefits of fluoride. Some communities do not have the resources to put fluoride in the water systems. They may use salt or milk fluoridation instead.
To see the fluoride levels in your area, go to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion website: http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/MWF/CountydataV.asp. You can also check with your dentist, doctor, or health department to find out if you need more fluoride.
Is Fluoride Safe?
Every U.S. resident is exposed to small amounts of fluoride daily. This can come from drinking water, fluoridated toothpaste, the air, or some processed foods. Large studies have researched the safety of fluoride and its effects on health. Drinking or ingesting fluoride in high quantities when teeth are developing (before 8 years of age) can cause a change in tooth color. This is known as dental fluorosis. Fluorosis has only occurred in a small percentage of the population. Other smaller studies have been conducted to find any other health consequences. These studies have not found conclusive results. No long term research study has shown that fluoride causes other problems. Fluoride, like any mineral, can be toxic if too much is consumed. But the recommended concentration found in water (0.7- 1.2 ppm) is safe. This level is well below the toxic level. If you live in an area without fluoride a doctor can prescribe the right amount that is safe.
At home, a child can be exposed to very high levels of fluoride from sources such as toothpaste, mouthrinses, and tablets. Before age two it is best to use only water or non-fluoridated toothpaste. Parents should use fluoride toothpaste to brush their child’s teeth starting at age two. Allow only a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste on the toothbrush. Always supervise young children when they brush their teeth so that they do not swallow the toothpaste. Always follow the warnings on the back of the toothpaste tube.
Links about Fluoride
About Fluoride
American Academy of Pediatrics Dentistry—http://www.aapd.org/publications/brochures/floride.asp
American Dental Association—http://www.ada.org/public/topics/fluoride/fluoride_article01.asp
American Dental Hygienists’ Association—http://www.adha.org/oralhealth/fluoride_facts.htm
American Family Physician—http://www.aafp.org/afp/20020301/clinical.html
American Family Physician—http://www.aafp.org/afp/20041201/2121ph.html
Center for Disease Control and Prevention— http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5014a1.htm
Department of Health and Human Services—http://health.gov/environment/ReviewofFluoride/
Department of Health and Human Services: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry— http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts11.html#bookmark05
KidsHealth—http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/general/teeth/fluoride.html
Tooele County Health Department—http://health.utah.gov/lhd/tooele/Community_Health/Fluoridation/Benefits_Of_Fluoride.htmlWater Fluoridation Levels
Center for Disease Control and Prevention— http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/MWF/index.asp?Warn=Select+a+valid+State%2E
Utah Department of Health—http://health.utah.gov/oralhealth/pdf/WaterFluoridationLevels.pdf
