Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps build strong teeth and prevent cavities. According to recent studies, fluoridated water has reduced tooth decay by 25 percent.
Fluoride treatments may offer even more significant benefits to protect teeth. These treatments can be beneficial to people at risk of tooth decay but may not be right for everyone. The fluoride that dentists use in these treatments is similar to the fluoride in toothpaste. However, the treatment contains much higher doses and may offer more rapid benefits.
What is fluoride treatment?
A person at risk of tooth decay may benefit from fluoride treatment. Fluoride treatments are typically professional treatments containing a high concentration of fluoride. A dentist or hygienist will apply to a person's teeth to improve health and reduce the risk of cavities. These in-office treatments may take the form of a solution, gel, foam, or varnish. There are also some high-concentration fluoride treatments that people can use at home but only under the specific direction of a dentist.
Benefits of fluoride and fluoride treatments
Fluoride has several benefits for the teeth as it helps the body better use minerals, such as calcium and phosphate. The teeth reabsorb these minerals to repair weak tooth enamel. It can also joins into the tooth structure when teeth are developing to strengthen the enamel of the teeth, making them less vulnerable to bacteria and cavities for life. It has the potential to slow or even reverse the development of cavities by harming bacteria that cause cavities.
By preventing cavities and slowing the growth of bacteria, fluoride treatment may also prevent gum disease, reduce tooth pain and prevent the premature loss of teeth Fluoride treatment recommendations
The ADA recommend that frequent exposure to small amounts of fluoride every day is the best for reducing the risk of dental cavities for all ages. For most people, this means drinking tap water with optimal fluoride levels and brushing teeth twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste. For children and adults who may be at a higher risk of cavities, fluoride treatments can provide extra benefits.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Fluoride treatments can improve oral health. This is a major predictor of overall health. Poor oral health can cause a range of other health conditions, including cardiovascular disease.
Side effects of fluoride
Some natural health advocates have expressed concern about fluoride at high doses. They also argue that fluoride is not safe for children, and even that fluoridated water may be dangerous.
However, it is a myth that fluoride treatments or fluoridated water cause widespread harm, although some people may experience some side effects
Tooth discoloration
The most common side effect of fluoride is tooth discoloration. This can be due to fluorosis.
Fluorosis is a condition that causes white streaks or other discoloration on the teeth. Fluorosis happens when a child ingests too much fluoride while their baby and adult teeth are developing under the gums. A child can develop fluorosis from birth to 8 years of age. Discoloration is more common among young children who consume too much fluoride, either because they take fluoride supplements or swallow toothpaste. Experts recommend that even children who are too young to spit the toothpaste out themselves should use fluoridated toothpaste.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommend that parents or caregivers use a minuscule amount of fluoridated toothpaste as soon as the child's first tooth erupts. This protects a child's teeth from cavities but does not put them at risk for fluorosis if the child accidentally swallows the toothpaste.
Children
Dental cavities are the most common chronic childhood disease. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend fluoride treatment for all children as soon as their teeth begin to grow to prevent decay, pain, and future dental infections. Dentists or doctors should repeat fluoride treatment every 3–6 months, depending on a child's risk of cavities.
To reduce the risk of overexposure to fluoride, dentists also recommend the following:
- Caregivers should brush children's teeth with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste to reduce decay and minimize fluorosis risk. For children under 3 years of age, use no more than a smear or rice-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. For children aged 3–6, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
- Always supervise a child's brushing to ensure they use the right amount of toothpaste, and try to get them to spit out most it if they can.
- Children under 6 years old should not use at-home fluoride rinses, such as mouthwash, since they may swallow too much fluoride.
Adults
Fluoride recommendations for adults vary. Different studies have investigated a range of concentrations, doses, and frequencies of treatment.
If a person is at a moderate-to-high risk of developing tooth decay, professional fluoride treatment can help. Experts recommend that people at high risk of cavities get professional fluoride treatments twice a year.
People should discuss the risks and benefits of fluoride treatment with their dentists. It is essential to consider all sources of fluoride, including fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash.
People who live in areas where the water does not contain fluoride may gain more significant benefits from regular fluoride treatments.
Summary
Fluoride treatments are safe for most people. Even when there are side effects, those effects are usually minimal compared to the benefits. Most of the harm is likely to come from swallowing very high amounts of fluoride.
This does not mean that all fluoride treatments are safe for all people at all times. People with cavities or at risk of tooth decay should discuss their concerns with a dentist they trust.
-as published in medical news today
