Fluoride has been a topic of debate for years, and the arguing is only getting more prevalent. Team pro-fluoride believes that the naturally occurring chemical is a powerful tool for dental hygiene. Team anti-fluoride argues that the chemical can have adverse effects on enamel, bone, and even cognitive function. But which side should patients like you put their trust in? At East Longmeadow Family Dental Center, we believe in keeping our patients educated, which includes understanding the risks and benefits of fluoride. If you’ve been looking into fluoride free toothpaste, we encourage you to learn more about its effects first.
What Is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring chemical most commonly found in water and foods such as bananas, strawberries, and grapes.
This chemical was first discovered in our water in the early 1900s, when scientists investigated a phenomenon known as the “Colorado brown stain”. An unusually large number of children in the Colorado Springs area were developing brown staining on their enamel. While the cause was initially unknown, it was later determined to be high fluoride exposure!
By the 1930s, a scientist by the name of Dr. Trendley H. Dean was studying the effects of fluoride across the entire country. While patients in areas with high levels of fluoride did experience brown staining, their teeth were also resistant to decay! Dr. Dean and his team discovered that fluoride levels of 1.0 parts per million (ppm) could protect against tooth decay while avoiding the stains associated with higher levels.
By 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first city in the world to manually fluoridate its water. While monitoring fluoride levels, they conducted a 15-year experiment to assess the effects of fluoridation. In just 11 years, they found that the rate of dental caries (or decay) in children born after manual fluoridation dropped by more than 60%!
Myth vs. Fact: The Potential Risks of Fluoride
In the last few years, there have been major changes in fluoridation mandates. Many states that required the fluoridation of water have now rolled back those mandates, with states like Florida and Utah even instituting a ban on fluoridation.
Here in Massachusetts, it’s often up to local communities to determine their own ruling on fluoridation. In places like Somerset, a recent vote instated a ban on adding fluoride to the local drinking water. In contrast, Boston actively encourages the fluoridation of its water, with no signs of a fluoride ban on the horizon.
The opposition comes from a belief that any benefits of fluoridated water are not worth the risks of fluoride. But how many risks of fluoride are legitimate concerns?
- Staining: In excess, fluoride can cause staining and discoloration called dental fluorosis. This effect is similar to the “Colorado brown stain,” but occurs only at high levels of fluoride.
- Bone issues: Some evidence suggests that exposure to high levels of fluoride may cause skeletal fluorosis. This effect leads to bone pain and joint stiffness, as well as potential changes in density.
- Cognitive impairment: A few studies have linked fluoride with cognitive decline in childhood IQ. However, these studies were done in areas with excessive amounts of fluoride that far exceed the levels here in the United States.
The truth is, concerns about fluoride come from a very real place. But in most cases, the concern is only legitimate in areas with fluoride levels far exceeding those found in U.S. drinking water! With our regulated, fluoridated water, there is little to no concern about any of these effects.
Is Fluoride Free Toothpaste Good for You?
So, knowing that fluoride is relatively safe in the water supply, what does that mean for toothpaste? Most toothpastes contain fluoride to protect your enamel. But there are some fluoride free toothpastes for patients who want to avoid it.
Unfortunately, fluoride free toothpaste lacks the same protection against cavities and tooth decay! In fact, for a toothpaste to receive the seal of approval from the American Dental Association (ADA), it requires fluoride as an ingredient!
This naturally occurring chemical is seen as a necessary step in your oral hygiene routine that helps strengthen enamel. Without it, you risk exposing your teeth to higher rates of decay and cavities.
At the East Longmeadow Family Dental Center, we encourage all our patients to use toothpastes containing fluoride to protect their teeth!
Trust Fluoride Toothpaste for Your Dental Care
The safety and use of fluoride have been a hot topic of debate recently. With some places banning the addition of fluoride to local water and others encouraging fluoride mandates, it’s difficult to know what’s best for your smile. At the East Longmeadow Family Dental Center, we recommend using a toothpaste with fluoride to keep your smile happy and healthy.
Have any more questions? Book a free initial appointment to learn more information.
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