Most of us come into contact with fluoride every day without knowing it. According to the latest figures published by the CDC, around 72% of the US population receives fluoridated water from their taps.
It's commonly included in
toothpaste, too. Have you ever wondered why this is the case, or do you blindly
swallow whatever comes your way?
Turns out, there is a good reason
for getting your daily dose of this mineral. Keep reading to discover the
link between fluoride and dental health.
What
Is Fluoride?
Fluoride comes from the element
fluorine. It occurs naturally all over the world in small amounts.
Soil, air, rocks, salt- and fresh
water, rocks, and many foods contain fluoride. When you consume fluoride,
most of it travels to your bones and teeth, where it can have beneficial
effects.
How
Does Fluoride Help Your Teeth?
Fluoride works on your bones to help
increase their density. It also acts on the teeth, where it combines with
phosphate and calcium.
This results in fluorapatite,
which resists acid and helps protect your teeth from decay.
Scientists first discovered the
benefits of fluoride for dental health in 1901.
As the story goes, at this time, a
young dentist, Frederick McKay, moved to Colorado Springs to open a dental
practice. Before long, he noticed something strange about the local population.
Most of the residents in this town
had severe brown stains on their teeth.
Residents blamed this condition,
called Colorado Brown Stain, on causes akin to old wives' tales. These
included consuming too much calcium, eating too much pork, and drinking
inferior milk.
McKay was not convinced by these
explanations.
So, he rounded up some colleagues
and convinced them to help him investigate further. In 1909, a
renowned dental researcher, Dr. G.V. Black, arrived on the scene to help
him get to the root of this issue.
Together, they realized
that, despite an unpleasant appearance, people with this affliction had
surprisingly healthy teeth. Children in the area seemed to have far fewer
dental cavities than those in other cities, too.
By 1915, Dr. Black had passed on.
Yet, thanks to his guidance, Dr. McKay was now convinced that it was something
other than calcium in the water causing this strange deformity.
Water test after water test revealed
nothing unusual about water supplies to Colorado Springs or other towns where
Colorado Brown Stain appeared.
Eventually, in 1931, more
sophisticated testing equipment revealed the culprit - fluoride. Experts agreed
that the positive effects of fluoride far outweighed the negatives and
suggested it as a way to reduce the incidence of cavities nationwide.
Before long, municipalities started
introducing small amounts of fluoride into public water supplies across the
country, and toothpaste manufacturers got on board, too.
Side
Effects of Fluoride
From the above, we know that higher
doses of fluoride can cause yellowing of the teeth. Fortunately, routine teeth whitening procedures
can eradicate this problem.
When children consume high doses of
fluoride at the time their teeth are forming, they can develop fluorosis, which
refers to small chalky markings on the teeth.
The other side effects of fluorine
overdose are far more serious.
In large quantities, fluoride's
effect on the bones reverses, eventually leading to the weakening of these
structures. This renders bone brittle and subject to breaking more easily.
In some cases, too much fluoride can
cause calcification of the ligaments.
Some studies hint at a relationship
between osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, and fluoride. Yet, scientists
haven't established a strong link between fluoride and cancer.
Another batch of studies suggests a
relationship between high levels of fluoride and decreased brain function in
children. Again, there isn't enough evidence to support these theories at
present.
Animal studies also reveal a tenuous
link between excessive fluoride intake and infertility.
Using
Fluoride Safely
Since all the negative effects of
fluoride stem from ingesting too much of it, you must follow the manufacturer's
instructions when using fluoridated products.
That's why we're taught to spit out
toothpaste after brushing. It's okay if you don't rinse thoroughly after
brushing, as long as you don't swallow the toothpaste.
Swallowing toothpaste in conjunction
with drinking fluoridated water can lead to negative side effects over time.
Fluoride levels in water fluctuate
naturally depending on environmental circumstances and can increase at
times.
Your local water authorities keep
tabs on fluoride levels in the drinking water and adjust their fluoridation
methods to prevent harm to those who drink it. So, you needn't worry about
that.
Do
You Have to Brush With Fluoride Toothpaste?
Most evidence suggests that fluoride
is most effective at guarding against tooth decay in young children. As
you age, you'll already have this protection in place if you've always ingested
fluoride from the water.
It's important to note that fluoride
can work to reduce the damage that sugar does to your teeth, though. So it's
best to use fluoride toothpaste to protect yourself in between brushing.
If you're wary of the side effects
of fluoride, it's also okay to use an un-fluoridated toothpaste when brushing
your teeth.
Protect
Your Smile to Protect Yourself
Now you know why fluoride forms an
important part of your dental hygiene routine, despite the risks
associated with overdosing on it.
Yet, drinking a little fluoride or
brushing with it, won't protect you from all cavities. You must
still watch your diet and take good care of your teeth with regular visits
to your dentist if you want to maintain a healthy smile.
Too much sugar and poor dental care
will cause dental cavities and gingivitis over time.
Browse our blog for more health tips and information to keep you smiling.
