Is Fluoride Dangerous? Ask Our Fuquay Varina Pediatric Dentist

Fluoride has been added to community water systems in many developed countries, including ours, for about 70 years. However, many people have objected to this practice throughout the years, from its inception all the way to today. Here is more information about fluoride, its benefits, and why dentists believe it is safe to administer to both children and adults.

What is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a natural mineral, similar to calcium or sodium chloride (salt). Just as calcium helps fortify bones, fluoride has been overwhelmingly proven to strengthen teeth and help prevent cavities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there has never been any scientific evidence linking fluoride to adverse health effects. And according to the American Dental Association (ADA), more than 125 leading health organizations around the world also recognize its safety and value, including the World Health Organization.

75 Years of Fluoridated Water

In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan started to add fluoride to its water supply, becoming the first city in the world to do so. Five years later, when the schoolchildren of Grand Rapids were found to have significantly fewer cavities than children from surrounding communities, other Michigan cities also began fluoridating and soon achieved similar results. Within a few years, cities and towns across the United States were fluoridating their water. Since its launch 75 years ago, community water fluoridation has proved to be one of public health’s greatest success stories, improving the health and well-being of people in the United States and around the world.

What is Fluorosis?

Fluoride is safe and effective in small doses, but like anything else, it is possible to get too much of a good thing. If children consume too much fluoride at an early age—primarily by swallowing fluoride toothpaste—they can develop white spots or lines on the enamel, and even brown or gray discoloration in severe cases. This is why it important to supervise children while they are brushing, and why some pediatric dentists recommend starting very young children with non-fluoridated toothpaste.

Get Quality Dental Care with Our Fuquay-Varina Pediatric Dentist

Our Fuquay-Varina dentist office has served hundreds of happy customers in the Wake County area and beyond. Our caring, compassionate pediatric dentist team is loved my kids and trusted by parents! To request an appointment with our office, please click here.