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Fluoride is a natural mineral used to strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay. It is also added to local water supplies in many American cities. It is safe when consumed in appropriate amounts.
Fluoride is a mineral in your bones and teeth. Also found naturally in the following:
Fluoride is commonly used in dentistry to strengthen enamel, which is the outer layer of your teeth. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. It is also added in small amounts to public water supplies in the United States and many other countries. This process is called water fluoridation.
Read on to learn more about the use of fluoride and the controversy surrounding its safety.
In the context of human health, fluoride is primarily used to improve dental health. You can sometimes find it at your local water supply and in many over-the-counter (OTC) products, including:
- toothpaste
- mouth rinses
- supplements
If you tend to get a lot of cavities, your dentist may suggest you use a prescription fluoride mouthwash. These rinses typically have a higher fluoride concentration than OTC options.
Fluoride is also used:
- in medical imaging scans such as PET scans
- as a cleanser
- in pesticides
- for the manufacture of Teflon, steel and aluminum products
Fluoride is beneficial for teeth because it helps:
- reconstruction (remineralization) of weakened tooth enamel
- slow the loss of minerals from tooth enamel
- reverses early signs of tooth decay
- prevents the growth of harmful oral bacteria
When bacteria in your mouth break down sugar and carbohydrates, they produce acids that eat away at the minerals in your tooth enamel. This loss of minerals is called desalination. Weakened tooth enamel leaves your teeth vulnerable to cavity-causing bacteria.
Fluoride helps remineralize your tooth enamel, which can prevent tooth decay and reverse early signs of tooth decay.
According to
While fluoride is a natural compound, it can cause side effects when consumed in large doses. In the United States, the amount of fluoride added to water is usually about 0.7 parts per million (ppm). maximum allowed since 2015.
Dental fluoridation
Dental fluoridation occurs when you consume too much fluoride while your teeth are still forming under your gums. This results in white spots on the surface of your teeth. Apart from the appearance of white spots, dental fluoridation does not cause any symptoms or damage.
It tends to only affect children under the age of 8 who have permanent teeth. Children are also more likely to swallow toothpaste, which contains significantly more fluoride than fluoridated water.
You can reduce your child’s risk of developing dental fluorosis by supervising them when they brush their teeth to make sure they don’t swallow large amounts of toothpaste.
Skeletal fluoridation
Skeletal fluorosis is similar to dental fluorosis, but involves bones instead of teeth. Early symptoms include joint pain and stiffness. Over time, it can change bone structure and cause ligament calcification.
It tends to arise from
There are also reported cases of skeletal fluorosis in the United States, although it is
Researchers around the world have conducted hundreds of studies examining the safety of adding low concentrations of fluoride to drinking water. There is no evidence that fluoride added to local water supplies in the United States causes health problems, except for the occasional mild case of dental fluorosis.
However, some people claim that fluoridated water causes a variety of health problems, including:
The research behind these claims is mixed. For example, a
Studies examining the relationship between fluoride and low IQ scores in children have also had mixed results. ONE
If you are concerned about your fluoride intake, you can reduce your exposure by:
Not all cities in the United States fluoridate their drinking water. The decision on whether or not to fluoridate is made by each city.
However, the CDC has a tool you can use it to check your local water supply if you live in certain states. This tool will tell you if your city is fluoridating its water. If it does, you’ll also be able to see how much they add.
If your city doesn’t fluoridate its water, but you’re interested in the dental health benefits of fluoride, try:
- brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- use of fluoride mouthwash once a day (not recommended for children under 6)
- asking your doctor about a professional fluoride treatment
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral used in many dental products to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay. It is also added to local water supplies in many American cities.
While the amount added to drinking water is considered relatively safe, exposure to high levels of fluoride can be linked to many health problems.
If you are concerned about fluoride intake, ask your local government about fluoride in your city’s water. You can also choose fluoride-free dental products, especially if you have young children.
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