Your bones and teeth contain a substance called fluoride. Additionally, it typically occurs in the following:
- Water
- Soil
- Plants
- Rock
Fluoride aids in cavity prevention. The exterior covering of your teeth, called enamel, is strengthened by fluoride, frequently used in dental. Public water sources in the US and many others also contain tiny quantities. Water fluoridation is the practice in question.
Continue reading to learn more about fluorine’s use and the debate over its safety.
What is the purpose of fluoride?
Fluoride is primarily used in the human health setting to enhance oral health. It can occasionally be found in your community’s water supply and a variety of over-the-counter (OTC) items, such as:
Mouthwashes, toothbrushes, and vitamins
Your doctor might advise using a fluoride-containing pharmaceutical mouthwash if you frequently get cavities. These rinses typically contain more fluorine than over-the-counter alternatives.
Additionally, fluoride is used to produce Teflon, steel, and metal goods, as well as a cleansing ingredient in insecticides and medical imaging tests like PET scans.
What advantages does fluorine have?
Because it helps to:
- Restore (remineralize) damaged tooth enamel.
- Slow down the loss of ions from tooth enamel.
- Counteract early symptoms of dental disease; fluoride is good for teeth.
Halt the development of dangerous mouth germs.
Demineralization is the process by which elements are lost. Acids that chip away at the elements in your dental enamel are produced when microbes in your teeth break down sugar and carbohydrates. Your teeth are more susceptible to the germs that cause caries if your dental enamel weakens.
Your dental enamel can be remineralized by fluoride, which can stop caries and treat early symptoms of tooth disease.
The specific number of missing or decayed teeth among 12-year-old adolescents in the United States decreased by 68 percent from the late 1960s to the early 1990s, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source. This came after treated water was introduced, spread throughout towns, and added fluoride to mouthwash and other oral goods.
Are there any possible fluorine adverse effects?
Although naturally prevalent, fluorine can still have negative impacts if ingested in significant amounts. The highest permitted quantity of fluoride added to water in the United States as of 2015 is typically around 0.7 parts per million (ppm).
Fluorosis in teeth
Dental fluorosis results when you ingest too much fluorine while your teeth still develop beneath your lips. Your teeth’s enamel develops white patches as a consequence of this. Dental fluorosis has no signs or adverse effects other than the look of white patches.
Only young toddlers under eight with developing fixed teeth typically experience it. Additionally, toothpaste, which has considerably more fluoride than treated water, is more likely to be swallowed by kids.
You can lower their risk of getting oral fluorosis by watching your kid while they clean their teeth to ensure they are not ingesting excessive quantities of toothpaste.
Fluorosis of the bones
Similar to oral fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis affects bones rather than teeth. It can gradually change how bones are built and lead to the hardening of tendons. Joint rigidity and discomfort are early signs.
Fluoride has significant natural concentrations in some places, including vast portions of Africa and Asia, which can pollute water sources. It typically results from prolonged contact with elevated fluoride amounts, frequently found in drinkable waterTrusted Sources. Fluoride levels that are too high in water can result from various factors, such as unintentional pollution from flames or blasts.
Skeletal fluorosis has also been documented in the United States, though it is uncommonTrusted Source. Experts concluded that a 52-year-old American man’s bone fluorosis was most likely caused by ingesting toothpaste in the case of Trusted Source.
Is drinking chlorinated water harmful?
Hundreds of studies have been carried out by scientists from all over the globe to examine the safety of putting modest fluoride levels in potable water. Aside from the sporadic minor instance of tooth fluorosis, there is no proof that fluoride added to municipal water sources in the United States creates health issues.
However, some individuals assert that drinking fluoridated water can lead to several health issues, such as:
- Bone cancer in toddlers with poor IQ
- Joint pain, renal illness
A variety of studies supports these assertions. For instance, a 2006 study by Trusted Source discovered a connection between increased rates of male bone cancer and early exposure to fluoridated water. However, a 2011 analysis by Trusted Source and a 2016 research found no relationship between the two.
There are conflicting findings from studies examining the relationship between fluoride and children’s poor IQ ratings. According to a 2012 assessment of the available research Trusted Source, there may be a connection between the two, but more important, high-quality studies are required.
If you are worried about how much fluoride you consume, you can lower your exposure by switching to another type of water, like distilled water; using a fluoride filter for public water, which you can buy on Amazon; and
deciding to use fluoride-free toothpaste, which is also available on Amazon
How can I tell if my water has been fluoridated?
Potable water is not fluoridated in every American community. Each community decides whether or not to fluoridate its water.
If you reside in a particular state, the CDC has a utility you can use to verify the quality of your local water source. You can use this application to determine if your community fluoridates its water. You can also see how much they add if it does.
If your community does not fluoridate its water, but you are interested in fluoride’s advantages for your oral health, consider using fluoride toothpaste twice daily and fluoride rinse once daily (not recommended for children under 6 years of age)
The conclusion
A naturally found element called fluoride is used in many dentistry goods to fortify teeth enamel and stop caries. It is also put to municipal water sources in many American towns.
Although the quantity of fluoride added to potable water is considered harmless, excessive fluoride intake has been related to several health problems.
Ask your local authorities how much fluoride is in the water in your community if you have any concerns about your fluoride consumption. Dental goods without fluorine are another option, particularly if you have small children.