What is fluoride?
Fluoride is an ionized form of the element fluorine. It is naturally occurring and is in nearly all bodies of water. Fluoride is released into the environment when fluoride containing rock or soil come into contact with water. When water flows over these rocks, it can dissolve fluoride into the water. Depending on where you live the amount of dissolved fluoride in groundwater may be either too low to prevent cavities, at the optimal level or naturally occurring higher than the recommended level.
How does fluoride benefit my teeth?
Every day the bacteria in your mouth combines with sugars from the foods and drinks you consume, to make acid that harms the enamel (the outer layer) of our teeth. The continuous exposure of fluoride from fluoridated drinking water throughout the day, provides the teeth significant protection from being damaged by acids all while helping to rebuild (or re-mineralize) the enamel.
What are some adverse health effects of high levels of fluoride?
Larger amounts fluoride can be harmful, leading to weakened bones and teeth. Children who consume too much fluoride while their teeth are still forming can have a condition called dental fluorosis that leaves discolored spots on the teeth. Children under the age of 8 are more susceptible to this.
How can I protect my family from excess fluoride?
Children are at most risk for fluoride exposure. Babies should use a toothpaste that does not contain fluoride. When children are old enough to start using fluoride toothpaste, make sure they use only a pea-sized amount and spit out the toothpaste. Children under the age of 6 should not use mouthwash unless recommended by a dentist.
If you have a private well, you can get the water tested for fluoride. The optimal concentration in drinking water to help prevent cavities is 0.7 mg/L. EPA has a primary drinking water standard of 4 mg/L that drinking water systems cannot exceed because of risk of bone disease, and a secondary drinking water standard of 2 mg/L for potential for fluorosis.
If the level in your well water is above the optimal concentration, do not use the water for drinking or cooking. You can use bottled water for drinking and cooking or install a system to remove excess fluoride. These can cover the whole house or be installed at one tap. Reverse osmosis systems and filters containing activated aluminum can remove fluoride but be aware some filters can also remove healthy minerals like calcium, potassium and magnesium. Customers can select water treatment systems meeting NSF/ANSI 58 and certified for fluoride reduction.
What should I do if fluoride in my drinking water is too low?
Since fluoride helps to protect adults and children from tooth decay, if your well water is low in fluoride or if your community does not fluoridate public drinking water, talk to your dentist about fluoride supplementation for your children.
Isn’t my fluoride toothpaste and fluoride treatments applied at my dentist enough to protect my teeth?
Fluoride works in two ways, systemically and topically. Systemically it works in your drinking water to provide low levels of continuous protection all day by being incorporated into your saliva. It also provides strength and protection to teeth that have not yet erupted and are still developing below the gums. When topically applied in toothpaste it works to provide a strong, localized amount of fluoride to protect you at important times of the day, like at night before bed. Together the two work together to help prevent tooth decay and offer more protection against cavities than using either one alone.