Fluoride has been an essential part of dental care for many years. It helps prevent cavities and makes teeth stronger. However, fluoride found in many products, including toothpaste and public water systems, is misunderstood and surrounded by myths and misconceptions.
Many people are still confused about fluoride and its suitability and safety. This article discusses the facts about fluoride and debunks the myths that have created confusion. If you have questions about fluoride and its role in tooth sensitivity or if it has any adverse health impact, this article seeks to demystify the confusion with the help of the facts.
The Basics of Fluoride
Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally and is present in water, soil, plants, or even some types of food. It is an essential component of your life, even though you may not pay much attention to it. What makes fluoride so special and particularly popular in dentistry is its unique property, which is the ability to strengthen the tooth enamel, the outer covering of your teeth. Tooth enamel is constantly under pressure from the acids from the foods taken, bacteria, and sugars, which causes the enamel to erode. Fluoride, however, acts as a protective force, repairing weakened enamel and preventing future damage.
Fluoride is also added to public water systems in many parts of the world in controlled quantities. Years of research have proved that this practice assists in reducing the risks of tooth decay. Drinking fluoridated water or using dental products containing fluoride offers an essential defense mechanism for your teeth. You may not notice that there is fluoride in your toothpaste or mouthwash. However, with every use, you are doing something to improve your teeth and prevent cavities.
Fluoride is no longer restricted to oral healthcare products. It is present in different natural products, like fish, tea, and some vegetables, that help with fluoride consumption. However, the selective application of fluorides in dentistry has had the biggest impact on people's welfare over the years.
Facts About Fluoride
Fluoride Makes Tooth Enamel Stronger
Of all the positive effects of fluoride, the mineral’s capacity to reinforce the tooth enamel is among the most researched. Your teeth’s outer covering, known as enamel, is the hardest substance in your body. The enamel undergoes constant erosion by acids generated by bacteria in your mouth. These acids demineralize your teeth and thus make them vulnerable to decay. However, when fluoride is present, it integrates into the enamel structure through remineralization.
Fluoride draws calcium and phosphate, essential building blocks of tooth enamel. This allows these minerals to rebuild and strengthen weakened areas on the tooth’s surface.
Research proves that a compound known as fluorapatite forms on the surface of enamel, which is stronger than normal enamel and can withstand acid attacks. This makes cavities difficult to develop and aids in arresting early decay before it becomes a cavity. Daily usage of fluoridated toothpaste, fluoride-containing mouthwash, or drinking fluoridated water maintains this protective layer over time.
Fluoride Helps Reverse Early Decay
Cavities are not a one-night affair. These start and progress gradually, which you might not even realize is happening. Initially, acids formed by plaque erode your teeth’s outer layer, the enamel, over time in a slow process. There are no cavities at this stage, but the enamel layer is already demineralized. The good news is that fluoride restores your teeth through re-mineralization.
When you use fluoride, it dissolves into the compromised areas of your enamel, thus forming a bond with your teeth. Fluoride acts to draw those minerals, such as calcium and phosphate, back to the areas in question to repair and strengthen the enamel. It not only rebuilds the structure of the enamel but also makes a new surface of the tooth material harder and more resistant to decay than the original enamel. Thus, fluoride helps to prevent cavities in the early stages and even can repair the process of tooth demineralization before the cavity forms, in other words, it can heal your teeth.
Scientific evidence is available to prove that fluoride can arrest or reverse the demineralization process of early tooth decay. Fluoride has been proven to reduce the occurrence of caries among users of fluoridated toothpaste, mouthwash, or fluoridated mouth rinse and professionally applied fluorides. This is because fluoride makes teeth progressively stronger all the time, and this is so even when acid is diminishing the strength of teeth.
However, it has been established that the ability of fluoride to arrest decay is only possible if done early. Fluoride cannot reverse the process once a cavity has formed and has progressed to the inner part of the tooth. This is why, together with good hygiene, constant fluoride contact is essential to have healthy teeth and strong enamel. If patients are vulnerable to caries or experience signs of demineralization, such as sensitivity or staining, a fluoride treatment at Tarzana Dental Care may rebuild the enamel layer and protect the teeth against further decay.
Children Can Safely Consume Fluoride
Fluoride plays an essential role in children’s dental health, particularly during the developmental stages of the teeth. Studies have shown that the body uses fluoride to strengthen teeth before birth. Fluoride consumed through drinking water or foods becomes deposited in the enamel of developing teeth, making them more resistant to decay after erupting. This early protection is crucial as children are vulnerable to cavities due to their high intake of sugar and relatively poor oral hygiene.
Numerous studies have proven that fluoride is harmless and very effective for children once ingested in the right proportions. Research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other organizations endorses water fluoridation as a safer measure to eliminate the risk of cavities in children by up to 25%. Fluoride in the water supply has been one of the greatest advancements in fighting cavities among children for many years.
Moderation is the key when it comes to using fluoride in children. Fluoride toothpaste should be used sparingly by children, especially those below the age of three years, using only the size of a grain of rice, while children aged between 3 and 6 years should use the size of a pea. This, in a way, helps to reduce the level of exposure to fluoride, which, if taken in excess, can cause dental fluorosis. Fluorosis is not very serious because it affects the appearance of the teeth and causes them to have faint white lines, but this condition can be prevented if the right amount of fluoride is consumed.
Major Health Organizations Endorse Fluoride
For many years, Fluoride has been recommended by major health bodies across the globe. Through thorough research, scientists have proven that fluorides are safe and effective in preventing tooth decay, hence the approval.
Professional health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), continue to support the use of fluoride as they assert that it reduces cavities and strengthens teeth. For example, the CDC lists community water fluoridation as one of the ten outstanding achievements in public health during the twentieth century. This is because fluoride in drinking water has greatly helped to reduce tooth decay in children and adults by nearly 25% as various public health researches have shown.
These organizations do not endorse fluoride casually. The support comes from years of research proving that when applied appropriately, fluoride is beneficial and does not cause any health complications. For example, in the ADA, there is always a persistent message that fluoride in the water, toothpaste, or from professional treatments helps prevent cavities for people of all ages. It plays a role in remineralization, rebuilding the damaged enamel, and reversing early decay before cavities develop.
The WHO backs fluoride as an international campaign, especially in nations where people cannot afford dental clinics. In these areas, water fluoridation is a preventive measure that enhances the oral health of millions of people who cannot afford dental care.
With such endorsements, one can be confident that fluoride is a well-researched, safe substance in preventive dentistry. Fluoride remains a safe and effective means of safeguarding your teeth from cavities, whether in the water you consume or the toothpaste you use.
Fluoride Reduces Sensitivity
Teeth sensitivity is a condition that is uncomfortable and even painful sometimes. When the outer layer of your teeth, known as the enamel, is eroded or compromised in any way, the next layer, the dentin, is revealed. Dentin has interconnecting tiny tubules that end up on the nerves.
Therefore, your teeth are susceptible to temperatures and sweet or sour substances. A single drop of water or any sweet substance that one may take can cause severe electric-like pain to pass through the body. This condition, called dentin hypersensitivity, interferes with everyday life and even the foods you can eat.
Fluoride, therefore, provides a solution to this by minimizing this discomfort. If used as a topical agent, it helps rebuild the weakened areas of enamel. It supports the remineralization process, which is the process of the enamel layer regaining its lost minerals. Fluoride creates a denser and more acid-soluble hydroxyapatite layer over the exposed dentin, reducing the exposure of the tubules that lead to the nerves, hence reducing sensitivity. This layer covers the teeth' most vulnerable areas from heat, cold, and other abrasive substances.
Besides, fluoride is used in over-the-counter toothpaste and mouth rinses, but it is also used in professional higher concentrates by your dentist. The above treatments are more effective for patients with persistent sensitivity and provide better remedies. After several applications of the solution, most patients will report less sensitive teeth and can eat hot, cold, or sweet food without much pain.
Myths About Fluoride
Fluoride Only Works When Ingested
One myth is that fluoride is beneficial only when it is taken in the form of water or supplements. Though drinking fluorides in the form of water fluoridation has its advantages, it is not the only way to protect your teeth. Fluoride gels and solutions available in toothpaste, mouthwash, and professional treatments greatly enhance enamel's hardness and reduce carrier rates.
Once it comes into contact with your teeth, Fluoride starts to remineralize softened spots on the enamel, halts the progression of decay, and strengthens your teeth for future cavities. This process takes place on the outer structure of the teeth and hence does not have to be ingested to work.
A survey has revealed that topical fluoride application can afford substantial protection against decay but does not have to be ingested. This is why dentists suggest using fluoride toothpaste while brushing at least twice daily; topical fluoride applications are part of regular dental procedures.
Dental Fluoride is Toxic
One of the most common controversies concerning dental fluoride is its toxicity. However, this is a myth. As seen above, fluoride is safe and effective in toothpaste and water. This confusion stems from the distinction between therapeutic doses of fluoride and the toxic effects of overdosage, which are well-known but have yet to be encountered.
Like any other compound, fluoride is poisonous when taken in large amounts—just as it is poisonous in large quantities of water or salt. Still, the amounts of fluoride in toothpaste, mouthwash, and water are significantly lower than any toxic level. As the CDC has stated, the fluoride level allowed in the public water supply is strictly regulated, not to exceed a certain level. The quantity of fluoride in toothpaste also has no toxic level when appropriately used. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), fluoride is safe and effective in preventing tooth decay.
Cases of fluoride toxicity, such as dental fluorosis, usually occur when young children consume large amounts of fluoride—typically from swallowing toothpaste. Even then, fluorosis is mainly a cosmetic issue, causing faint white spots on the teeth. It does not pose serious health risks. Following proper dental guidelines, such as supervising children while they brush, can easily avoid overexposure to fluoride.
Health Risks and Fluoride
Another prevalent myth about fluoride is that it poses serious health risks, leading some to believe it should be avoided altogether. However, the overwhelming body of scientific evidence contradicts this idea. When used within recommended limits, fluoride has no adverse health effects and significantly benefits dental health.
Extensive research has thoroughly debunked concerns about fluoride causing health issues such as cancer, kidney disease, or neurological problems. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Dental Association (ADA) affirm that fluoride is not linked to these severe conditions when consumed appropriately. Studies cited by the CDC show that populations with access to fluoridated water experience far fewer cases of dental decay without any increase in these health risks.
The fear that fluoride causes systemic health issues stems from misunderstanding studies involving large, uncontrolled doses. Excessive fluoride exposure, far beyond what’s found in toothpaste or drinking water, could pose risks, but such levels are scarce in regulated public water supplies. The CDC maintains strict guidelines on fluoride in drinking water, keeping it safe and optimal to prevent dental problems while avoiding overexposure.
If you follow standard dental care practices and use fluoride-containing products as recommended, there’s no reason to worry about health risks. Instead, fluoride remains a safe and valuable tool for preventing tooth decay and improving oral health.
Fluoride Can Cause Allergies
Another misconception associated with the use of fluoride is that one can develop an allergy to fluoride if they use products that contain fluoride or drink water containing fluoride. However, this is different from scientific research that has been carried out. The effects of fluoride, a natural mineral, have been researched extensively, and cases of allergies to this compound are almost unheard of.
Most people think of allergies as skin reactions, respiratory problems, or stomach upsets. Such responses are not elicited by fluoride in the body, especially at the concentrations used in dental products or water fluoridation. Research has also revealed that fluoride is a chemically inactive substance and does not have an allergic effect.
According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), there are few instances in which fluoride causes an allergic reaction. Although people may have different degrees of sensitivity to fluoride, their allergic reactions are not acknowledged by any leading health organizations.
However, it should be noted that some may think that they are allergic to fluoride when, in fact, they are allergic to other ingredients present in dental products. For example, toothpaste and mouthwash contain preservatives, flavoring, or colorants that may trigger irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive persons. These reactions are typically associated with those additives rather than with fluoride as a substance. For this reason, if you are experiencing any form of skin irritation after using a fluoride-based product, it would be wise to seek a dentist and try out products that contain fewer chemicals.
Find a Tarzana Dentist Near Me
Numerous studies have proven that fluoride effectively protects teeth against cavities, and it has been approved by leading health authorities worldwide. Fluoride has several positive effects, from strengthening the enamel to preventing tooth decay and relieving sensitivity.
While there are many apparent benefits, there are still many myths regarding its safety and efficacy. As presented above, learning the facts about fluoride will go a long way toward eliminating these myths and enabling you to make the right decisions for your oral hygiene.
If you have any questions regarding fluoride or its use or are unsure how to use it, you should consult a dentist. At Tarzana Dental Care, we are committed to taking care of your needs and giving you the correct information on the proper use of fluoride. You can call our Tarzana office at 818-708-3232 for a consultation.