Fluoride. Is it safe? Should I use it? How much?

There’s been plenty of talk around fluoride lately, between the EPA’s recent lowering of fluoride limits in water and claims that too much fluoride can cause spots on children’s teeth.

Here’s the deal.

The condition some children develop, in which spots appear on their teeth, most likely comes from when a child continuously swallows toothpaste.  The condition is very rare, is not harmful, and is usually only visible to dentists.  In most cases, a non-dentist wouldn’t be able to see the spots.

The pros far outweigh the cons.

The American Dental Association states that water fluoridation “has dramatically improved the oral health of tens of millions of Americans,” and is “the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay.”

In a recently released study by the ADC, scientists concluded that fluoride gel or varnish, when applied at least every six months for 4 minutes or more, is effective in preventing tooth decay and cavities in school-aged children.  Further, the ADC recommends fluoride supplements for children with a high risk of tooth decay, who do not have adequate access to water with fluoride.  Another recent study concluded that infant formulas reconstituted with fluoridated drinking water were okay, with some exceptions (please talk to your dentist for guidance).

So as with anything, you can have too much of a good thing, but fluoridated drinking water, fluoride toothpaste, and professional fluoride treatments are all excellent means of preventing tooth decay and cavities in children, which means healthier teeth and gums as adults.