What You Need to Know About the Benefits and Risks of Proper Fluoride Use

Fluoride is a mineral used to prevent dental cavities and strengthen teeth. It can be found in many public water systems across the United States. However, its inclusion in drinking water has sparked wide concern and debate. The following blog examines the history of fluoridation, how it contributes to oral health, and the concerns regarding its safety and efficacy.

The history behind fluoride use

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, around 63% of Americans today receive fluoridated water from their home, work, or school faucets. This provides an affordable and accessible method to improve their oral health and reduce the risk of tooth decay. Before community water fluoridation in 1962, tooth decay was widespread and severe. Missing and decaying teeth were among the most common reasons recruits were turned down for military service during World War II. However, after introducing water fluoridation, tooth decay was dramatically reduced in children and adults.

In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first city in the United States to add fluoride to the public water supply. Ten years later, this helped decrease the rate of tooth decay among 30,000 Grand Rapids children by more than 60% after adding a small amount of fluoride to city water systems. While there is less research on fluoride use among adults, they can also benefit from it. According to the Cleveland Clinic, fluoride can help adult patients with conditions like dry mouth, gum disease, and a history of tooth decay.

The benefits of fluoride

The primary benefit of fluoride is its ability to prevent tooth decay. Introducing fluoride to tooth enamel helps remineralize areas weakened by acids produced by accumulated bacteria in a person's mouth. This process makes the enamel stronger and more resistant to damage and decay.

Fluoride also has a protective effect against gum disease. The mineral helps to create a barrier against the buildup of harmful bacteria, which can lead to gum inflammation and other dental issues. This is particularly important in rural or poverty-stricken areas where people may have limited access to professional dental care.

The risks of fluoride

Despite its benefits, fluoride has been the subject of considerable concern since its wide use began in the early 1960s. As with any mineral, excessive fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis. Dental fluorosis is a condition that causes white spots or streaks to appear on the teeth. While dental fluorosis is generally considered a cosmetic issue, severe cases can result in staining, discoloration, and tooth pits.

The recommended fluoride intake by the United States Health Service is 0.7 milligrams per liter. However, fluoride toxicity, also known as fluoride poisoning, can occur in rare cases when a person consumes large amounts of fluoride over time. This is often due to drinking natural drinking water with high concentrations of fluoride or ingesting fluoride supplements. Symptoms of fluoride poisoning may include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Paresthesias

While fluoride poisoning cases are uncommon, it is important to be aware of them and to ensure that one maintains safe levels of fluoride exposure.

Conflicting studies on the risks of fluoride on children's health

Another concern of fluoride use revolves around the potential impact of fluoride on the developing brain. Children are particularly susceptible to the effects of excessive fluoride exposure. Since their teeth are developing, consuming too much fluoride during early childhood can lead to dental fluorosis.

A 2019 Canadian study analyzed the IQ test scores of 512 young children to their parent's urinary fluoride levels during pregnancy. Researchers found that for every increase of one milligram per liter in urinary fluoride, they saw a 4.49-point drop in IQ in male children; they found no relationship with IQ in female children. Another recent review by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) also concluded that exposure to drinking water at 1.5 milligrams per liter or higher was consistently associated with lower cognitive scores in children.

However, other research has not found the connection, leaving the results inconclusive. An Australian study of 2,682 adolescents conducted in 2023 found no difference in behavioral development or cognitive function between the participants who drank fluoridated water and those who did not. A 2019 study in Mexico also did not find a relationship between children's intellectual ability and fluoride levels in their drinking water or urine. It is also important to note that the United States does not have large studies on the connection on the topic.

Call our office to learn more

You and your child's health and safety are important to us. The Fullerton Orthodontics & Children's Dentistry team is here to address your concerns about fluoride use. Call our Fullerton office to learn more about how we use fluoride in our practice.

Request an appointment here: https://www.fullertonfamilyorthodontics.com or call Fullerton Orthodontics & Children's Dentistry at (714) 459-8060 for an appointment in our Fullerton office.

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