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Fluoride & Your Health
What is fluoride, and why is it
good for my teeth?
Fluoride is a compound of the
element fluorine, which is found
universally throughout nature in
water, soil, air and in most foods.
Existing abundantly in living
tissue as an ion, fluoride is
absorbed easily into tooth enamel,
especially in children's growing
teeth. Once teeth are developed,
fluoride makes the entire tooth
structure more resistant to decay
and promotes remineralization,
which aids in repairing early decay
before the damage is even visible.
"Systemic" fluoride is
ingested when added to public and
private water supplies, soft drinks
and teas, and is available in dietary
supplement form. Once systemic
fluoride is absorbed via the
gastrointestinal tract, the blood
supply distributes it throughout the
entire body. Most fluoride not
excreted is deposited in bones and
hard tissues like teeth.
What's a "topical" fluoride, and
when should I use it?
"Topical" fluoride is found in
products containing strong
concentrations of fluoride to fight
tooth decay. These products,
including toothpastes and mouth
rinses, are applied directly to the
teeth and are then expectorated or
rinsed from the mouth without
swallowing. Dentists recommend
brushing with a fluoride
toothpaste at least twice a day or
after every meal, combined with a
regimen of flossing and regular
dental checkups.
Professionally-administered
topical fluorides such as gels or
varnishes are applied by the dentist
and left on for about four minutes,
usually during a cleaning
treatment. For patients with a high
risk of dental caries, the dentist
may prescribe a special gel for
daily home use, to be applied with
or without a mouth tray for up to
six weeks.
Why is most of the water we
drink fluoridated?
Fluoridated water protects against
cavities and root caries-a
progressive erosion of adult root
surfaces caused by gum recession-
and helps remineralize early
carious lesions. Thanks to these
preventive benefits, public water
fluoridation is considered the most
efficient and cost-effective dental
caries prevention measure
available. More than 144 million
United States residents in more
than 10,000 communities drink
fluoridated water, most from
public water supplies with sodium
fluoride added artificially. A small
percentage get water from private
wells with naturally fluoridated
water.
The Environmental
Protection Agency has determined
that the accepted "optimal" range
of fluoride in
water lies
between 0.7
and 1.2 parts
per million (ppm) or mg per liter.
The limit allowed by the EPA in
public water is 4 ppm. Backed by
results from more than 140
documented studies undertaken in
20 different countries over the past
several decades, fluoridated water
adhering to these standards has
been scientifically established as
safe for drinking. Water
fluoridation is endorsed by nearly
every major health and safety
related organization. Fluoridation
of community water supplies is the
single most effective public health
measure to prevent tooth decay and
to improve oral health for a
lifetime.
Can I get too much fluoride?
In general, the use of fluoride is
considered safe unless it's misused
or over concentrated. Drinking
excessively fluoridated water can
cause dental fluorosis, a harmless
cosmetic discoloring or mottling of
the enamel, visible by chalky
white specks and lines or pitted
and brown stained enamel on
developing teeth.
Avoid swallowing tooth
paste, mouth rinses or other
topical supplements, check with
your dentist on proper dosage, and
be careful not to accidentally take
too much.
If you are concerned about
the fluoride levels in
your
drinking water, call
the local public water department. If the
source is a private well, request a
fluoride content analysis taken via a
water sample through your local or
county health department.
Are children more sensitive to
fluoride?
Children are more vulnerable to
dental fluorosis because their
developing teeth are sensitive to
higher fluoride levels. They are at
greater risk if they swallow or use
too much toothpaste and fluoride
supplements, or regularly drink
water containing excessive fluoride
levels. Monitor your child's intake
and use of fluoride, and consult
with your family dentist on the
matter.
Sources: "Federal Panel Backs Fluoride in
Watet;" ADA News, Sept.6,
1993.
"FDI Policy Statement on Fluorides and
Fluoridation for the Prevention of Dental
Caries," FDI Dental World, May/June
1993.
"Current Thoughts on Prudent Fluoride
Use," Journal of the American College of
Dentists, Fall 1992. "Workshop Report-
Water Fluoridation," Journal of Restorative
Dentistry, May 1992. "When Your Patients
Ask About Fluoride,"JADA, Aug. 1991;
"New Study Underscores Fluoride Safet}: "
ADA News, March 5, 1990. "Don't Drink the
Water?" Newsweek, February
5, 1990.
