There’s a lot of conflicting information out there about the effects of fluoride on both your oral health and overall health. All this information can quickly become confusing and misleading. That’s why we’re here to help clear up a few of the most pervasive myths about the tooth-saving mineral and replace them with some genuine facts.
1. Fluoride Poses Health Risks
Myth: Fluoride can pose various health issues, including cancer, and it may even increase the risk of autism.
Fact: Fluoride has not been found to lead to any health complications unless it is consumed in extremely large quantities. This simply won’t be found in American drinking water, and there is also no known link between fluoride and autism.
2. Fluoride Is Dangerous for Children
Myth: Children should avoid fluoride because it’s dangerous for them.
Fact: Fluoride is not only safe for children, but it can also play a pivotal role in providing them with strong and healthy teeth over the course of their lives.
3. Fluoride Doesn’t Protect Your Teeth
Myth: Fluoride does not actually help to protect teeth from decay, which is why European countries don’t fluoridate their water.
Fact: Various studies performed both in the United States and Europe contradicts this claim. Fluoride has been found to be extremely effective in preventing tooth decay in both children and adults, and some European countries do fluoridate their water.
4. Fluoride Isn’t Worth the Money
Myth: Fluoride is a waste of money because there are other more cost-effective ways to protect teeth.
Fact: Fluoridating our water is actually the most cost-effective method to prevent tooth decay in large groups of people. One of the best ways to help communities avoid those costs is through inexpensive preventative measures like water fluoridation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention named community water fluoridation one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.
5. Fluoride in the Water Can Harm You
Myth: It’s easy to get fluorosis from drinking fluoridated water.
Fact: The amount of fluoride that one needs to consume for fluorosis to occur is extremely high, and in the rare instance that this occurs, the outcome is typically mild. Fluorosis is a condition that causes white or brown spots to appear on your teeth and isn’t considered dangerous.
Curious About Fluoride?
Reach out to Piper Family Dentistry today by calling (727) 548-7100, and we’ll be glad to answer any questions that you may have.
Dr. Piper is a General and Cosmetic Dentist who has proudly served Pinellas County since 1993. Both he and his team of professionals provide high quality, gentle dental care in a relaxed, personalized, and caring environment. Treating patients like family sets his practice apart from others.
