The Benefits and Risks of Fluoride: What You Need to Know

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that plays an important role in maintaining oral health. It's commonly found in drinking water, toothpaste, and dental treatments, and it is widely recognized for its ability to help prevent tooth decay by over 30%. However, like any substance, fluoride has both benefits and risks. At Walnut Family Dental we believe it's essential to understand both aspects to make informed decisions about your oral care.

The Benefits of Fluoride

1. Prevents Tooth Decay Fluoride helps to strengthen tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay caused by acids produced by bacteria in the mouth. It also helps to remineralize early stages of tooth decay, reversing damage before it becomes a cavity. Due to its safe effectiveness the CDC named community water fluoridation one of the top 10 public health achievements of the 20th century.
2. Protects Against Cavities Fluoride can significantly reduce the likelihood of cavities in both children and adults. Regular exposure to fluoride, whether through drinking water, toothpaste, or professional treatments, provides long-lasting protection against decay. Each independent source of fluoride has shown an added 30% reduction in tooth decay and even 40% in children.
3. Strengthens Tooth Enamel Fluoride enhances the mineral content of your teeth, making them stronger and more durable. This mineralization process helps teeth resist damage from acidic foods and drinks, as well as from plaque buildup.
4. Safe and Effective for All Ages Fluoride is beneficial for individuals of all ages. In children, it supports the development of strong, healthy teeth, while in adults, it continues to help prevent tooth decay and improve overall oral health.
5. Reduces Tooth Sensitivity Fluoride treatments can reduce tooth sensitivity by strengthening the enamel and protecting the nerves in the teeth, making it easier to enjoy hot or cold foods and drinks without discomfort.

The Risks of Fluoride

1. Dental Fluorosis Dental fluorosis is a cosmetic condition that can occur if a child consumes too much fluoride while their teeth are still developing. It can lead to white spots or streaks on the teeth, but it is typically mild and does not affect the function of the teeth. Fluorosis generally occurs when young children swallow excessive amounts of fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash.
2. Potential Toxicity (Overexposure) Ingesting extremely high levels of fluoride (more than 2x the CDC recommended community water levels), usually through misuse of fluoride products, can lead to toxicity. This is rare and typically occurs in situations where a child accidentally ingests large amounts of toothpaste. It can cause nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, more serious health issues. To avoid this, it's important to use fluoride products as directed and keep them out of reach of young children.
3. Neurodevelopment: recently a study made the news when it showed that children who regularly ingested more than 2x the recommended community water fluoridation levels had a decrease in IQ. This association disappeared when at appropriate levels and more study was recommended due to so many possible confounding factors.

How to Use Fluoride Safely

• Toothpaste: Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and supervise young children to ensure they don't swallow it. For children younger than 5, a rice grain size amount is adequate.
• Drinking Water: If you live in an area where fluoride is added to the public water supply (Corvallis), you're likely already benefiting from its cavity-fighting properties. If you're unsure, you can check with your local water provider or dentist.
• Dental Treatments: Professional fluoride treatments, such as fluoride varnishes or gels, are available at your dentist's office and offer a concentrated dose of fluoride to help prevent decay. These safe, concentrated treatments offer an additional level of protection on top of tooth paste and community fluoride levels.

Is Fluoride Right for You?

Fluoride has been proven to be one of the most effective tools in preventing tooth decay. For most people, the benefits far outweigh the risks. However, it's always a good idea to consult with your dentist at Walnut Family Dental to discuss your specific needs. If you have concerns about fluoride or its use, your dentist can provide guidance on the right fluoride treatments or alternatives for you or your child.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, contact us at Walnut Family Dental today!

Other Questions and Answers

Does my child need fluoride supplements?

Most of the benefits of fluoride are topical and not systemic, so we recommend toothpaste, fluoride mouth rinses, and professional applications at the dental office. While supplements are likely effective and safe, there is no benefit to swallowing fluoride so we recommend a more conservative approach of topical applications only.

Is fluoride, as provided by community water fluoridation, a toxic substance?

Toxicity of fluoride is related to the dose. The CDC recommends water concentrations of 0.7mg/L in community water. If a person drank 3L of water a day the total dose would be 2.1mg. The toxic dose of fluoride for a child that weights 80 pounds would be 181mg or 250x the amount in a liter of fluoridated community water. Some new evidence has shown negative effects on IQ in children when water levels are more than 2x (2.5, 3.5x or 2mg/L and 4mg/L) the recommended dose.

Did a federal judge order the EPA to stop water fluoridation?

No, the judge cited a study showing negative effects in children when water fluoridation is more than 2x (2.5x, 3.5x) the recommended amount set by CDC. The order is to take further action and did not change the ADA's stance on community water fluoridation. See more info here https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2024/september/judge-orders-epa-to-address-impacts-of-fluoride-in-drinking-water/

Comments on new Cochrane review by the ADA https://www.ada.org/about/press-releases/community-water-fluoridation-is-effective-at-preventing-cavities

How much fluoride is in the varnish recommended at Walnut Family Dental after cleanings?

Each dose of fluoride varnish contains about 7.5mg of fluoride. Due to the consistency/nature of the varnish the fluoride is intended to stay topically on the teeth for up to 3 months AND NOT be ingested systemically. Even if the entire dose were swallowed, a child of 80 pounds would need to swallow entirely 10 packages to approach a toxic dose.

https://www.ada.org/resources/community-initiatives/fluoride-in-water/fluoridation-faqs