We hear all sorts of rumors and myths about fluoride and its effect on teeth, but what’s the truth? Kruckman Family Dentistry is here to help you understand fluoride and how it impacts your family’s teeth and your own.
Fact: Fluoride naturally occurs in water, but it isn’t enough to protect your teeth. It’s true, fluoride exists in almost all water supplies! The good news is that there are several proven teeth benefits to having the right amount of fluoride in the water. In fact, in 2011, federal health officials officially recommended that all water have a new level of fluoride: 0.7 parts per million!
Fact: Fluoride is an important nutrient for healthy teeth. Fluoride isn’t a vitamin or medication by any means, but the right amount of this mineral in our drinking water has been shown to strengthen teeth.
Fact: Fluoride is the most cost-effective way to build healthy teeth and prevent decay. Studies have shown that, in most cities, every dollar invested in fluoridation actually saves about $38 in dental repair costs.
Fact: Fluoride-rich water is the number one way to protect everyone’s teeth from decaying. The combination of fluoridated water and toothpaste seems to be the perfect pair to keep teeth nice and healthy! In fact, many pediatricians and dentists will prescribe fluoride tablets to kids who live in non-fluoridated areas.
Fact: Getting enough fluoride as a child is crucial for teeth strength over the rest of our lifetime. Babies and children need fluoride to protect their growing teeth! This can help them resist decay better over their lifetime. One study in 2010 even showed that children who consumed fluoridated water were less likely to suffer tooth decay even 40 to 50 years later.
Fact: Fluoridated water is safe for young children and even babies. The ADA has stated that doctors “can suggest the continued use of powdered or liquid concentrate infant formulas reconstituted with optimally fluoridated drinking water.” If you have any questions, please contact your healthcare provider!
Fact: Water fluoridation has been studied and tested. The results conclude that it is both safe and effective at improving our oral health. Even though this may be a topic of contention in your community, science has shown that fluoridation of your water does help both your oral health and your family’s.
Fact: There is such a thing as too much fluoride. Before you go trying to add fluoride to everything, there is a condition called fluorosis that can develop if you ingest high concentrations of fluoride. However, it’s important to note that this condition does not cause any pain and will not affect the function of your teeth! All it does is leave faint, white specks on the teeth.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about fluoride, fluoride toothpaste, or the effects of fluoride on your child’s teeth, please contact the Waconia dentists at Kruckman Family Dentistry. For those of you who live around Waconia in Norwood, St. Bonifacius, or Victoria, we would be happy to serve you, too. We understand teeth and oral health, and we look forward to seeing your gorgeous smile!