Within recent years, there has been active controversy about the use of fluoride in Portland, Oregon’s drinking water. Much fear over the fluoridation of water is due to a lack of understanding about its role in teeth health. Whatever decisions you make about the role of fluoride in your dental health program should be made with information you can trust.

What are the Benefits of Fluoride for Dental Health?

Before (and after) teeth erupt, fluoride is taken in from food and other sources and is used by the body to create and strengthen the enamel that keeps teeth strong and healthy. Preventing tooth decay through strong enamel is the key benefit of intentionally exposing your teeth to appropriate levels of fluoride.

How much fluoride is dangerous for humans to consume?

Mineral fluorine would have to be consumed in quantities far greater than those found in standard dental products to be dangerous. Children in particular can experience some gastrointestinal distress if they swallow too much toothpaste which contains fluorine, but this is as far as the danger goes.

Women who are pregnant should be careful to avoid too much fluoride for the health of their baby, but this is not likely to be a danger in the US.

Of course, dentists will always ensure that any fluorine treatments you or your children receive in-office are such that they pose no health risks.

Is it possible to have too little fluoride?

It is possible to receive too little fluoride through natural sources, and this will have a negative effect on the health of a person’s teeth and bones.

Why do some cities put fluorine in their water?

It is important to note that drinking water naturally contains small amounts of fluoride. Any amounts added by municipalities are above and beyond this. So it is not that they are adding fluoride, but rather that they are adding extra fluoride.

They put “extra” – that’s important. Fluorine already exists in drinking water in very low quantities. Read below for an example of the benefits of drinking water fluoridation.

Study Reaffirms Benefits Of Fluoridated Water

KTOO-FM Juneau, AK (12/26, Hsieh) reports Jennifer Meyer, a public health researcher, found that dental care needs increased in Juneau, Alaska after the city stopped adding fluoride to its drinking water over 10 years ago. Meyer studied Medicaid dental claims for children in Juneau from both before and after the city stopped adding fluoride, finding that for children under six, “cavity-related procedures” increased from “about one-and-a-half” on average per year when the water contained added fluoride, to “about two-and-a-half procedures a year” after the city stopped adding fluoride to the water. Meyer said the findings indicate “the trade-off” for discontinuing community water fluoridation is “children are going to experience one additional caries procedure per year, at a ballpark (cost) of $300 more per child.” The findings were published in the journal BMC Oral Health.

Click here for more information about fluoride and the ADA’s advocacy efforts on fluoridation.

Is fluoride toxic?

In sufficient quantities, fluoride can cause nausea and gastrointestinal distress. It can be dangerous in extremely high quantities, particularly for infants (who can receive fluorine from mom) and children. But this is not a consideration in the vast majority of cases in North America.

How does fluoride work to prevent tooth decay?

According to the journal Nature, fluoride appears to be used in the exterior of the tooth structure to bind together calcium and reduce wear and tear on teeth. However, the fluorine can get worn off in the process of eating – pointing to the need for continued consumption of the mineral.

Is fluoride beneficial for children and adults alike?

A recent article from the American Dental Association found that fluoride mouth rinse used by kids does not have strong evidence of controlling dental decay.

Basically, if you are brushing your children’s teeth morning and night as well as flossing daily, allowing them to brush a bit with a toothpaste that includes fluoride (make sure they’re spitting it out!) will have your kids’ oral health pretty well covered (aside from a visit to your local dentist).

What are common sources of fluoride?

Element 9 on the Periodic Table, fluorine is a naturally occurring element which combines with other chemicals to make fluoride minerals, which humans can ingest in reasonable quantities with no observable negative health effects.

• Fluoride toothpaste
• Mouth rinse which incorporates fluoride
• Fluoride supplements
• Application by a dentist
• Drinking water (but not currently in many Oregon cities)

If you would like to talk further about the role of fluoride when it comes to your dental health, schedule a time to come in and speak with us at Main Street Dental Gresham. Contact us today!