How Important is Fluoride to Dental Health?

Fluoride and its effects have been a subject of some debate recently. Both the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have stated that fluoride is a safe and effective substance for preventing tooth decay, however some critics and less-informed members of the general public are fearful that it can cause harmful side effects or serious illness. In this post, we'll go over the basics of fluoride, its benefits and associated risks.

News About Fluoride Toothpaste for Kids

Fluoride is something that many of us seldom think about. It was first added to toothpaste in Germany in the 1890s. In the U.S., fluoride toothpastes only received ADA-approval in the 1950s and were finally available to consumers by 1955. Numerous long-term studies revealed that including fluoride in toothpaste is an effective anticavity measure that can significantly improve dental health and hygiene.

For decades, it has been recommended that youngsters begin using a fluoridated toothpaste by the age of 2, Now the results of 17 systematic studies published in the The Journal of the American Dental Association reveals some interesting new scientific evidence.

Data analysis from the 17 separate studies showed that using fluoride toothpaste is effective in controlling tooth decay in all children, regardless of their age.

A New York Times article, published in early February 2014, discussed how this news changes the way we currently understand and deal with fluoride.  Presently toothpaste labels advise consulting with a dentist or family doctor before introducing fluoride toothpaste to kids 2 or under. Many parents interpret that as a warning that fluoride use before age 2 is either unnecessary, unsafe or both. The reason that the age of 2 was chosen as the right time to begin using a fluoridated toothpaste is because that is when most children are able to spit. This is important because "swallowing more than a pea-sized amount each day increases a kid's risk for dental fluorosis, a condition that leads to brown spots and staining of the teeth."

Pediatric dentists are applauding the news and agree that prevention against tooth decay should take place as soon as possible. This is especially true for children that sleep with a bottle and those with family histories of dental issues. The key to using this information successfully requires participation and guidance from parents and caregivers. Here are the suggestions:

• For infants, gently wipe their gums with a warm, damp wash cloth after feeding.
• For babies, "parents should use a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste to brush baby teeth twice daily as soon as they erupt, instead of waiting until children are older." (American Dental Association)
• For toddlers, use a rice grain-size amount of fluoride toothpaste and brush twice daily. Demonstrate swishing, rinsing, and spitting with water until they are able to do it on their own.
• Please note that the updated guidelines change the previous advice from the A.D.A. that recommended using a pea-size amount of toothpaste when children reach 24 months. Now that amount should be used from the age of 3 through 6.

The most important information to take away from this news is that early prevention and establishing routine dental hygiene are the keys to establishing excellent dental health.

Want to see the difference between a "smear" of toothpaste vs. a "pea-sized" squirt? Use the following link for that image and more details regarding this story: Dental Group Advises Fluoride Before Age 2

Other Source: http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/flurosis.htm

Also See: Kids' Dental Care Tips for Parents

Is Fluoride Harmful to My Health?

Last year, new research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prompted many Americans to question the health benefits of fluoride. Despite raising a few eyebrows, the research did not uncover anything that would link significant health risks to fluoride.

It seems the CDC concluded that 2 out of 5 adolescents developed streaks or spottiness on their teeth, caused by ingesting too much fluoride. In rare, extreme cases, some young teens even experienced pitting on their tooth surface, but these cases were so mild that they were only detectable by a dentist. This most likely occurred not from routine dental procedures, but by ingesting fluoride from other sources - namely, drinking water. Most water supplies in the U.S. are fluoridated, which means they are purposefully treated with fluoride.

Fluoride is a compound of the element fluorine, which is found universally throughout nature. You won't just find it in water; it's also in soil, air and in most foods. Fluoride is absorbed easily into the tooth enamel, especially in children's growing teeth. Once the child's teeth are developed, fluoride makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay and promotes re-mineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before the damage is visible.

While ingesting too much of anything can cause adverse reactions, it is extremely rare to experience any health issues related to fluoride. Dental fluorosis is the most common affliction associated with excessive fluoride intake (note the keyword here is EXCESSIVE). Dental fluorosis is characterized by mottled, chalky white or brown appearance on the teeth.

It has been theorized that, over many years, too much fluoride can lead to other health problems, but many of these reports are unfounded. The highly reputable organizations in our country such as the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry continue to recommend fluoride, especially for children.

If you take it upon yourself to research this topic, make sure you are careful about where you get your information. Your best resource is to ask Dr. Melcher at Implant and General Dentistry.  Give us a call today to learn more or to schedule an appointment: 919-782-0548

News Sources:

MSN Healthy Living - A Little Fluoride Goes a Long Way
CBS News- Fluoride is Good For You, We Mean Bad for You

Related Post:

Does Bottled Water Contain Fluoride?