Let's talk about fluoride, the mineral that's been stirring up quite the controversy for years. You've probably heard some wild things about it, but I am going to try and set the record straight. In this blog post, we'll debunk the myth about fluoride toxicity and separate the facts from fiction.
Myth 1: Fluoride in toothpaste is a Toxic Chemical
Firstly, the big one is the idea that fluoride is a toxic chemical. Well, guess what? Fluoride is as natural as it gets. It's found in the Earth's crust, soil, water, and even in small amounts in a bunch of foods. It's practically everywhere! Most of us have been sipping on water with a dash of fluoride forever.
The World Health Organization( WHO) recommends a maximum level of 1.5 milligrams of fluoride per litre of water (mg/l).The UK , also follows the same protocol as WHO and the policy is to have maximum of 1 mg or 1ppm (parts per million) of fluoride in the drinking water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a limit for fluoride in drinking water at 4.0 milligrams per liter (mg/L).
A lot of this is the groundwater having fluoride in them, and unfortunately, most fluorosis and fluoride excess problems have happened because of naturally occurring fluoride, but people have villanised toothpaste and water fluoridation which is well below a dose that causes any damage, but very beneficial for the vulnerable lower socio-economic class and the children and the elderly most affected with tooth decay without much investment, and it is our duty to these people to help encourage fluoride.
Myth 2: Fluoride in toothpaste Causes Dental Fluorosis
Next up, is the fear of dental fluorosis. Some say it's like a dental horror story, but it's mostly just a cosmetic thing. Dental fluorosis can happen when kids get too much fluoride during tooth development years. The risk period for fluorosis of the upper front teeth is generally agreed to be from birth to the age of three, Year 2 being the most crucial (Evans and Darrell, 1995) usually from chomping on toothpaste or living in an area with super-high fluoride water.
The UK and US recommendations propose the use of a “smear” of fluoride toothpaste (approximately 0.1 gram of toothpaste or 0.1 mg of fluoride) for children younger than 3 years and a pea-sized amount (approximately 0.25 g toothpaste or 0.25 mg of fluoride) for children from 3 to 6 years of age.
A smear of toothpaste is recommended for 0-3 years and a pea size is recommended for 3-6 year old's of 1000 ppm F average smear is approximately 0.1 ml , which would allow 13 brushing episodes with 1,000 ppm F toothpaste per day before breaching the upper tolerable limit of fluoride intake, assuming that 100% of the toothpaste used was ingested. (SIGN Guidelines)
For children over the age of three years, a pea-sized amount (0.25 ml) per brushing is recommended. This would allow eight brushing episodes with 1,000 ppm F toothpaste per day before breaching the upper tolerable limit of fluoride intake. (SIGN Guidelines)
That means would you rather have a few white spot lesions on the teeth of your children which is a mild cosmetic issue which can be easily avoidable if protocols are followed / children have decay on their milk teeth and their adult teeth leading to tooth extractions and teeth issues for life ??
The severe stuff is super rare and usually requires some extreme fluoride exposure usually from natural water fluoridation ( which is identified and controlled in most of places now) or from children swallowing large amounts of toothpaste from wrong quantity used.
Myth 3: Fluoride Causes All Sorts of Health Problems
Now, let's tackle the claim that fluoride causes all sorts of health troubles, from cancer to bone issues to messing with our brains. Well, the science doesn't back that up. Loads of studies and expert reviews haven't found any solid link between the recommended levels of fluoride in water and these scary health problems. Big organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have done their homework and still give fluoride the green light for our dental health.
Myth 4: Fluoride is Forced Medication
Finally, the idea of adding fluoride to our tap water is like forcing us to take medicine without asking for our permission. Fluoride in water isn't meant to cure any medical condition. It's more like throwing chlorine into the pool to keep it clean. Plus, the decision to add fluoride to water is usually made by our local communities, with input from health experts. And don't forget, you've still got choices—there's fluoride-free toothpaste, water filters, and bottled water if you'd rather skip the fluoride party. But if you want to go fluoride-free, do check your risk status, if you / the rest of the family members have decay (fillings) and gum disease - children are also highly likely to have a high risk for caries and decay, and it would not be in their best interest to remove fluoride from their water.
If you are very worried about fluorosis ( or white spots ) then may be a good idea to use toothpaste with HAP ( I shall explain all about it in another blog)and fluoride ( but lower dose) for children or only HAP with a rigorous care to make sure that the brushing is spot on and the children's diet is low in sugar or else the fluoride-free will backfire. I have had several people come complaining to me that their teeth problems are because of improper parental care/knowledge. Don't be that parent !!
Conclusion
So, there you have it, folks! The whole fluoride toxicity thing is mostly a load of hooey. The experts agree that when used right, fluoride is a superstar in the fight against tooth decay and helps us keep our smiles bright.
Let's base our opinions on science and the wisdom of experts rather than wild stories and myths. That way, we can all make smart decisions about using fluoride and keep enjoying the benefits of awesome oral health which is connected to the general health
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