Fluoride and Decay Prevention

Many years ago scientists started to notice children who were born and raised in areas with natural fluoride in drinking water had fewer cavities than children living in other areas. Fluoride absorbed by your body when teeth are forming (during mother’s pregnancy to early childhood) mixes into the tooth structure and creates great decay prevention. Over 60 years of research proves dental benefits of fluoride consumption and the ideal amount to ensure no short or long-term side effects.

After a child’s teeth erupts from the gums, consumption of fluoride is no longer considered beneficial. Instead, fluoride found in your toothpaste, mouthwash, or varnish applied in a dental office has a positive effect on your teeth. It strengthens the enamel and reduces the chance of tooth decay.

As the benefits and risks of taking in flouride becomes more understood, many communities across the U.S. has added fluoride into their drinking water at the established ‘healthy’ rate of 0.7 to 1.2 parts-per-million (ppm). If you have children and live in an area that has no fluoride in its drinking water, you should consult your dentist or physician about fluoride tablets or drops that are available for children. Some even come with a daily dose of vitamins. This only makes sense, as you could look at fluoride as vitamins for your teeth!

Fluorosis

Enamel fluorosis is the effect high quantities of INGESTED fluoride have on DEVELOPING primary and permanent teeth. These affects range from faint white spots or streaks to brown, irregular enamel surface, depending on the amount of fluoride ingested. This cause and effect relationship can only occur in teeth that have not erupted through the gums. Once teeth are in the mouth, enamel fluorosis cannot occur. It has also been proven that staying within the fluoride supplement guidelines does not cause fluorosis.