For decades, fluoride has been held in high regard by the dental community as an
important mineral that is absorbed into and strengthens tooth enamel, and thereby
helping to prevent decay of tooth structures.
In nearly every U.S. community, public drinking supplies are supplemented with sodium
fluoride because the practice is acknowledged as safe and effective in fighting
cavities.
Some private wells may contain naturally fluoridated water.
Fluoride has come under some recent scrutiny by public health officials, some of
whom question how effective it is in preventing cavities.
Bottled Water and Home Water Treatment Systems
The American Dental Association has maintained that consistent use of bottled water
could result in individuals missing the benefits of optimally fluoridated water.
Moreover, the ADA has held that some home water treatment systems change fluoridated
water supplies for the worse.
Enamel Fluorosis
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a child may face a condition
called enamel fluorosis if he or she gets too much fluoride during the years of
tooth development. Too much fluoride can result in defects in tooth enamel.
Water Fluoridation
If you're wondering how fluoridated your community's water supply is, chances are
you can get the latest information by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) web site.
A feature called "My Water's Fluoride" allows consumers to check out basic
information about their water system, including the number of people served by the
system and the target fluoridation level. Optimal levels recommended by the U.S.
Public Health Service and CDC for drinking water range from 0.7 parts per million
(ppm) for warmer climates to 1.2 ppm for cooler climates to account for the tendency
for people to drink more water in warmer climates.
Toothpaste Warning Labels
The American Dental Association has stated that the FDA-required warning labels
on toothpaste packaging, which state that poison control centers should be contacted
if one swallows fluoride toothpaste, "could unnecessarily frighten parents
and children, and that the label greatly overstates any demonstrated or potential
danger posed by fluoride toothpastes."
For more information about fluoride or to answer any questions or concerns, please
see our dentist in Reseda today
or call us at (818) 708-3828.