It is vital to dental health.
However, some concerns are raised about overexposure to the mineral.
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What Is Fluoride Used For?
Kathrin Ziegler / Getty Images
Fluoride is used in oral and dental health.
Research shows it’s effective in preventing cavities.
What Are the Benefits of Fluoride?
Dental Fluorosis
Dental fluorosisdescribes a change in tooth appearance in young children exposed to too much fluoride.
It often looks likewhite spots or lineson the outer layer of the tooth enamel.
This is why adults do not develop dental fluorosis.
Dental fluorosis is typically mild and should notcause painor permanently affect the way the teeth look or function.
Moderate or severe cases of dental fluorosis that lead to extensive tooth enamel changes are considered to be rare.
Is Fluoridated Water Dangerous?
Fluoride is naturally found in water but in varying amounts.
Fluoride is added to reach at least 0.7 mg/L, which data shows is beneficial for oral health.
How Do I Know If My Water Is Fluoridated?
Each community’s water supply is different.
Tap water, well water, and even bottled water all contain varying amounts of fluoride.
Mosttap water suppliescontain fluoride at the recommended levels.
Well water fluoride content can be tested by laboratory analysis.
Check with your local health department for directions on how to get your water sample tested.
Some bottled water brands contain fluoride, while others may contain none or only trace amounts.
Fluoride Safety
Not getting enough fluoride canresult in cavitiesand weaker bones (including teeth).
Summary
Fluoride protects against cavities by strengthening teeth andcontrolling plaque.
It’s especially important that babies and children do not ingest too much fluoride.
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American Dental Association.The superhero that lives inside your mouth.
2023 Dec 21;15(12):e50884.
2022 Feb 10;807(Pt 1):150601. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150601
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About dental fluorosis.
doi:10.1038/s41598-017-17328-8
European Commission.Skeletal fluorosis.
American Cancer Society.Water fluoridation and cancer risk.
National Cancer Institute.Fluoridated water.
