Yes–Fluoride in Water is Recommended

Recently, there has been much discussion publicized regarding fluoride in the water we drink–is it a good thing, or not?
The catalyst for the conversation has been the U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy saying that the use of fluoride in drinking water should not be recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which is responsible for setting fluoride limits in water, reports that it is reviewing the potential risks of fluoride in drinking water.

The goal of water fluoridation is to prevent tooth decay, a chronic disease whose burdens particularly fall on children and the poor. Health and dental organizations worldwide have endorsed its safety and effectiveness at recommended levels. More than 100 health organizations have joined the CDC and the American Medical Association, the World Health Organization, and the American Academy of Pediatrics in recommending fluoride in water.

Dr. Hamby, at Hamby Family Dental Center, advocates fluoride in water as a safe and effective way to reduce tooth decay. This article discusses details about fluoride such as what it is and how it helps decrease tooth decay, both in children and adults.

What is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a mineral that is a crucial element for dental health. Specifically, it is the ionic form of the element fluorine and is naturally present in soil, water, and some foods. It strengthens tooth enamel, making teeth more resistant to acid attacks and helping to prevent tooth decay. Fluoride can be found in various forms, including fluoridated toothpaste, mouth rinses, and fluoridated water, and can also be applied directly to teeth by a dentist in the form of varnish or gel.

How Fluoride Works: Strengthening Enamel and Preventing Cavities

According to the NIH National Library of Medicine in “The Role of Fluoride on Caries Prevention,” fluoride prevents cavities through 3 mechanisms:

1.) Fluoride Inhibits Demineralization

Fluoride inhibits demineralization by promoting tooth remineralization and making the enamel more resistant to acid attacks. It makes the process of demineralization (mineral loss) more difficult to occur, particularly at the tooth surface.

2.) Fluoride Promotes Tooth Remineralization

Fluoride helps rebuild tooth enamel by facilitating the return of minerals like calcium and phosphate into the tooth structure after they have been lost due to acid exposure. The presence of fluoride in the enamel surface strengthens it and makes it more resistant to future acidic challenges.

3.) Fluoride Inhibits Plaque Bacteria

Fluoride inhibits plaque bacteria by disrupting their metabolism and acid production, primarily by reducing their acid tolerance and hindering their ability to metabolize carbohydrates. It accomplishes this by disrupting glycolysis, inhibiting enzymes, and affecting membrane transport.

What the CDC Says About Fluoride and Oral Health

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in a series of articles on oral health, has advocated that fluoride helps both children and adults prevent cavities. The benefit of fluoride in preventing cavities means that you get fewer and smaller cavities and, therefore, have less pain. Additionally, if you don’t get cavities, you lower your chances of needing fillings or having teeth removed. By drinking fluoridated water and getting dental fluoride sealants as children you prevent cavities and save money by avoiding expensive dental care.

Why is Fluoride in the Water?

Fluoride is added to water to help prevent tooth decay by reaching the largest number of people. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), community water fluoridation is effective at preventing cavities. Studies consistently demonstrate that community water fluoridation is a safe, effective, and cost-saving public health measure for preventing tooth decay.

Primarily, the ADA gives five reasons advocating for the addition of fluoride to communities’ water supplies:

1. Fluoride prevents tooth decay: Fluoride in water is the most efficient way to prevent cavities, which is one of the most common childhood diseases. The CDC has said that community water fluoridation is “one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.”
2. Protects all ages against cavities: Studies show that fluoride in community water systems prevents at least 25 percent of tooth decay in children and adults, even with public access to fluoride from other sources such as fluoride toothpaste.
3. It’s safe and effective: For more than 75 years, the best scientific evidence has consistently shown that fluoridation is safe and effective. It has been endorsed by numerous U.S. Surgeons General. 
4. It saves money: The average lifetime cost per person to fluoridate a water supply is less than the cost of just one dental filling. For most municipalities, the savings are $38 in dental treatment costs for every $1 invested in water fluoridation.
5. It’s natural: Fluoride is naturally present in groundwater and the oceans. Water fluoridation is similar to fortifying other foods and beverages, for example, fortifying salt with iodine, milk with Vitamin D, orange juice with calcium, and bread with folic acid.

The End-Goal of Water Fluoridation

The ultimate goal of water fluoridation is to prevent tooth decay by adjusting the concentration of fluoride in public water supplies. Tooth decay is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide. Although it is rarely life-threatening, tooth decay can cause pain and impair eating, speaking, facial appearance, and societal insecurities. It greatly affects the quality of life of children, particularly those of low socioeconomic status. 

The Benefits vs. the Cons of Fluoride in Water

Given the many benefits of fluoride added to water, the advantages far outweigh the negatives.

Benefits of Water Fluoridation

• Tooth Decay Reduction: Research consistently shows that fluoridated water reduces tooth decay by at least 25% in children and adults.
• Reduced Dental Treatment Needs: Studies indicate that communities with fluoridated water experience fewer cavities, resulting in less need for fillings, extractions, and other dental procedures.
• Safe and Effective: Community water fluoridation (CWF) has been studied extensively for 75 years, and numerous scientific reviews have concluded that it is safe and effective.
• Cost Savings: Communities with fluoridated water save money on dental care costs and experience fewer missed days of work and school due to dental issues.
• Impact on Tooth Enamel: Fluoride in drinking water strengthens tooth enamel, making teeth more resistant to decay.
• Lower Healthcare Costs: The savings from fewer dental restorations and treatments outweigh the cost of fluoridation, especially in larger communities.

Cons of Water Fluoridation

While water fluoridation is widely recognized for its dental health benefits, there are some concerns that remain regarding potential negative impacts. Primarily, the negative side of fluoridation is based on consuming high levels of fluoride.

Excessive fluoride intake usually occurs through the consumption of groundwater naturally rich in fluoride, particularly in warm climates where water consumption is greater. For example, consuming contaminated water, industrial exposure to fluoride dust or fumes, or the use of certain medications or supplements can create situations of excessive fluoride intake.

Such exposure may lead to dental fluorosis, a condition where visible changes like white flecks, spots, or lines appear on the enamel of teeth. In severe cases, skeletal fluorosis is associated with osteosclerosis, calcification of tendons and ligaments, and bone deformities.

Contact Hamby Family Dental Center Today for Better Oral Health

Our dental professionals at Hamby Family Dental Center are committed to improving your oral health. We check for signs in your mouth, gums, and teeth that may be affecting your overall well-being. Keeping up with your bi-annual dental exams is an important part of your oral health. We are accepting new patients. Contact us today to schedule your check-up. Call us at 919-552-2431 or complete the form below to request an appointment.