Fluoride FAQ's

WHY IS FLUORIDE IMPORTANT?
Did you know dental cavities are the most common disease in children and adults worldwide? Fluoride is one of the best and safest ways we can prevent cavities for children and adults alike.

Here’s how fluoride works. Your mouth contains bacteria that feed on the sugars in the foods we eat and the beverages we drink. This produces acid that can wear away the hard, outer shell of your tooth (enamel). This can lead to cavities.

Fluoride protects teeth by making the your teeth stronger and more resistant to acid. It not only reduces the risk of cavities, it can even help reverse early signs of decay. Due to its success in preventing cavities, fluoride in water was named a top public health achievement in the 20th century.

WHY IS FLUORIDE ADDED TO TOOTHPASTE?
Fluoride in the mouth (in the saliva and dental plaque) is an effective way to prevent tooth decay. The health benefits of fluoride are:

•Fewer cavities and less severe cavities.
•Less need for fillings and tooth extractions.
•Less pain and suffering associated with tooth decay.

DO I NEED TO WORRY ABOUT MY CHILD DRINKING WATER WITH FLUORIDE?
No. Fluoridated water is easy, inexpensive and one of the best beverage choices for kids.  Sweetened drinks like fruit juice (even those labeled 100% natural), soda and sports drinks contribute to tooth decay. Fluoridated water protects teeth. Sugary drinks also contribute to weight gain, where water with fluoride is calorie-free.

Something else to keep in mind is that fluoride is natural. It is an element found at some level in all natural water sources. If you’re drinking tap water in communities that add fluoride to the public water supply, you’re getting just the right amount of fluoride to help your teeth thanks to strict standards set by the EPA.

Not all bottled water has fluoride, so check the label or contact the bottler to be sure you’re getting the fluoride your teeth need. While most water filters used at home (in a pitcher or attached to the tap) do not remove fluoride, home water treatment systems such as reverse osmosis (RO) and distillation do remove significant amounts of fluoride from the water. Check with the manufacturer to learn if what you are using at home removes fluoride.

WE USE TOOTHPASTE WITH FLUORIDE, DO WE STILL NEED TO DRINK FLUORIDATED WATER?
Yes! Drinking water with fluoride bathes your teeth in small amounts of fluoride throughout the day and has been found to add to the benefits of brushing with fluoride toothpaste. Drinking water with fluoride helps prevent cavities before they start.

HOW COMMON IS DENTAL FLUOROSIS, AND HOW CAN I PREVENT IT?
Dental fluorosis happens before age 8 and is caused by getting too much fluoride when teeth are forming below the gums and before they appear in the mouth. It is mostly a cosmetic issue with no negative health effects.

It is estimated that less than 1 in 4 people between the ages of 6-49 have fluorosis, which most often can only be seen by a dental professional. Less than 2% of people are categorized as having anything more than mild fluorosis, which looks like small white spots on the teeth. To minimize the risk of visible fluorosis, teach your children to spit, not swallow toothpaste or mouthwash/rinse after use. Talk to your dentist about any questions or concerns you may have and about which dental products are right for your child.

WHAT ABOUT MIXING BABY FORMULA WITH FLUORIDATED WATER?
According to both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association, it is absolutely safe to mix infant formula with fluoridated water. Babies who are exclusively formula fed might have an increased risk for mild dental fluorosis, so discussing your baby’s needs with your dentist and pediatrician is important.

MY CHILD'S DENTIST RECOMMEND FLUORIDE TREATMENT.
Fluoride treatments prevent cavities by strengthening the hard, outer shell of teeth, and they may even reverse very early cavities that have just started forming. A fluoride treatment is quick and painless. Your dentist will paint a thin layer of fluoride varnish on your child’s teeth. Fluoride varnish is a sticky yellow or orange substance that often has a pleasant taste. The varnish application is fast and sets quickly. Your child may be advised to avoid eating of drinking for a short period of time (maybe 30 minutes) after the treatment.

WHAT IS A KID FRIENDLY WAY TO EXPLAIN WHAT FLUORIDE IS?
Here’s a great example of explaining to your child how fluoride works. Super heroes have super powers--explain to your child that the fluoride in their water and toothpaste is like a superpower to help fight sugar bugs on their teeth that cause cavities! :)

Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention