Fluoride
Fluoride Helps Fight Cavities
One key reason over the past few decades that cavities have been greatly reduced is due to fluoride. Fluoride is nature’s cavity fighter. Cavities, or tooth decay, used to be a fact of life. But during the past few decades, tooth decay has been greatly reduced. One key reason: fluoride.
What Is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in all water sources, including the oceans. Research shows that making teeth more resistant to the acid attacks that cause cavities. Fluoride also helps repair the early stages of tooth decay even before the decay can be seen. Teeth can be exposed to fluoride in two ways:
When fluoride is swallowed, it is called systemic fluoride. The most common source of systemic fluoride is fluoride in water. Optimal levels of fluoride to prevent decay can occur naturally in water. Some communities adjust the natural level of fluoride to optimal levels in a process called water fluoridation. Fluoride can also be prescribed by your dentist or physician in pill, drops and lozenges.
When fluoride is directly applied to the surface of your teeth, it is called topical fluoride. Fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses sold in stores contain topical fluoride. Also, professionally applied topical fluoride treatments in the form of gels and varnishes are available from your dentist.
Water Fluoridation
Water fluoridation is the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay. It has been named one of ten great public health achievements of the 20th century by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Simply by drinking water, people can benefit from fluoridation’s cavity protection whether they are at home, work, or school. Today, studies prove water fluoridation continues to be effective in reducing tooth decay by 20 – 40%, even in an era with a widespread availability of fluoride from other sources, such as fluoride toothpaste.
To find out if the water in your community contains fluoride at a level to prevent tooth decay, ask your dentist or contact your local county or state health department or water supplier. If you have a private well the EPA recommends that it be tested every year. Contact your local, county, or state health department to get a list of certified labs that can test fluoride levels.
Bottled Water
Individuals who drink bottled water could be missing the benefits of water fluoridation. The vast majority of bottled waters do not contain levels of fluoride needed to help prevent tooth decay. Check the label and contact the bottler if necessary to learn about the fluoride level of bottled water. A number of bottlers can supply bottled water with optimal levels of fluoride on request.
Home Water Treatment Systems
If you drink or cook with water treated by a home water filter system, you might also be missing out on the decay preventing effects of fluoride. Check with the product’s maker to learn if the system removes fluoride from your drinking water.
Is Fluoride Safe?
More than 65 years of study and experience have shown that water fluoridation is safe. Fluoridation of community water supplies is supported by the American Dental Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US Public Health Service, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association and the World Health Organization.
Other Sources of Fluoride
Not everyone lives in a community with fluoridated water. For those people, fluoride is available in other forms.
Dietary Fluoride Supplements
Fluoride tablets, drops, or lozenges are available only by prescription. They are for children between six months and 16 years old, who live in areas with low levels or no fluoride in the water For best results, these fluoride products should be used every day until the individual is about sixteen years old. Ask your dentist or child’s physician about your child’s fluoride needs.
Over the Counter Fluoride Products
Fluoride toothpastes and mouth rinses with the ADA Seal of Acceptance help prevent tooth decay for children and adults. When you shop for dental products, look for the ADA Seal so you know that a product is safe and effective. Products should be used as noted on the label. Parents should keep an eye on all dental products with fluoride used by children under age six. More is not always better. These products should be stored out the reach of young children.
Contact Us
If you’ve been noticing soreness, pain, or anything else making your teeth and mouth uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to give us a call and schedule an appointment. Please contact one of our offices in Irwin, Greentree, West Mifflin or Pleasant Hills, PA!