Fluoride Debunked
A chemical? In our water ?! Don’t be alarmed, it’s not as scary as you think. In recent years, you may have heard of the use of fluoride in a water being a popular topic of debate, where many myths and misconceptions have clouded the discussion of its uses. As the month of April celebrates Oral Health Month, there’s a lot to unpack about the concerns surrounding fluoride.
We NEED to brush things over.
In this article, let’s set the record straight by exploring what fluoride is, where it’s found, how it helps prevent tooth decay, and when it might be of concern.
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is found in rocks, soil, and water. It’s chemically similar to other minerals like chloride and bromide, but it has unique properties that make it beneficial for dental health. Among the most common uses, it is best known for its role in preventing cavities.
In modern day use, fluoride can be found in various products such as toothpaste, mouth rinses, and water supplies. Many communities add extra fluoride to their drinking water as a public health initiative to ensure that people receive the optimal amount for dental health.
How Does Fluoride Help Prevent Cavities?
One of fluoride’s most important roles is its ability to help prevent tooth decay. Here's how it works:
Fluoride helps to strengthen tooth enamel.
Fluoride is absorbed by the enamel on your teeth, making it more resistant to the acids produced by bacteria in your mouth. These acids are a major cause of tooth decay. When fluoride is incorporated into the enamel structure, it helps protect teeth from decay-causing acids.
Fluorides helps with remineralization.
When the minerals lost from the enamel are replaced, fluoride being present can help to speed up the process of remineralization and repair early stages of tooth decay before it turns into cavities.
Fluoride helps to prevent acid production
Fluoride has been shown to reduce the ability of bacteria in the mouth to produce acids that erode tooth enamel, further helping in the prevention of decay.
Can Fluoride Be Harmful?
While fluoride is beneficial in protecting dental health, there are certain situations when it can be of concern. The most common concern is overexposure of fluoride, especially in children.
Children are more susceptible to developing a condition known as dental fluorosis if they swallow excessive amounts of fluoride during their developing years. This condition can cause small white spots or streaks on their teeth, but it typically occurs only when children ingest too much fluoride from toothpaste or other sources before their teeth fully develop.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that young children use only a small pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and that they be supervised while brushing to minimize swallowing. Parents should supervise young children during brushing to ensure they don’t swallow toothpaste, and communities should continue to ensure that water fluoridation remains at safe levels.
The Bottom Line: Fluoride in Water is Not Harmful
In general, fluoride is an essential tool in the fight against tooth decay, and when used appropriately, it can help maintain strong, healthy teeth for a lifetime. The key to benefiting from fluoride while avoiding any potential concerns is moderation.
For the vast majority of people, fluoride is not harmful and offers significant dental benefits. Most communities that fluoridate their drinking water add fluoride at levels recommended by public health experts, which are considered safe and beneficial for dental health.
Fluoride is a proven ally in oral health!