Fluoride – What does it do for my teeth?

Fluoride is a mineral found naturally in soil, rocks, air and water. Fluoride has been used in dentistry for its topical effects of strengthening enamel and making it more resistant to dental decay. Fluoride can be delivered in the dental office as a rinse, gel, foam or varnish. It is also found in toothpastes and mouthrinses.

The Canadian Dental Association recommends brushing with fluoridated toothpaste twice per day. In young children who are liable to swallow toothpaste (6 years and under) - it is recommended to avoid fluoridated toothpaste or if the child is at high caries risk to use only the size of a ‘grain of rice’ under close adult supervision. Ingesting too much fluoride can lead to fluoride toxicity, the Maximum Acceptable Concentration is 1.5mg/L.

It can also lead to a condition called Fluorosis, which can look like white or brown flecks on your teeth and can vary in severity.  There have been other associations made between high systemic fluoride intake and bone fracture, cancer and developmental issues however the research is still unclear. This is one of the reasons community water fluoridation is so controversial. The city of Toronto’s water supply is fluoridated at a level of 0.6 parts per million.

Dental Fluorosis – ‘white flaky’ appearance. 

Find further information at these links and make your own informed decision on the subject:
McDonagh Marian S, Whiting Penny F,Wilson Paul M, Sutton Alex J, Chestnutt Ivor,Cooper Jan et al. “Systematic review of water fluoridation” BMJ 2000; 321:855

Stephen Peckham and Niyi Awofeso, “Water Fluoridation: A Critical Review of the Physiological Effects of Ingested Fluoride as a Public Health Intervention,” The Scientific World Journal, vol. 2014, Article ID 293019, 10 pages, 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/293019

http://www.cda-adc.ca/_files/position_statements/fluoride.pdf