The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday announced it will begin the process of pulling prescription fluoride drops and tablets for children off the market. The supplements are usually given to kids at high risk for cavities.
The federal government and some state legislatures are increasingly drawing attention to what they claim are the risks associated with fluoride, a mineral that’s been used for decades in community water systems, toothpastes and mouth rinses to prevent tooth decay.
Dentists fiercely contest the notion that the harms of fluoride outweigh the benefits.
Because children have teeth that aren’t exposed to topical fluoride.
Their future adult teeth, growing under their gums, in their jaws.
The only way to build them strong is from the inside out, by getting fluoride into the children’s systems.
This is false. Fluoride is not absorbed in the body and transported to the teeth. It only works on contact with dental surfaces. You do not need fluoride to develop “strong” teeth. It only works on the exposed enamel. Growing teeth would only be impaired if the child had some other disease or deficiency, like calcium. Fluoride does nothing for developing future adult teeth.
The existence of fluorosis, caused by an excess of fluoride being absorbed during tooth formation, before they begin to erupt, shows you’re wrong.
The human body is able to produce strong teeth and enamel unassisted, our diets and habits do the damage. The body is unable to repair the damaged enamel without topical solutions.
If you have a young child where topical fluoride is unadvised, consider nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste, especially if they know how to spit out. I like Fygg’s brand, it’s made by dentists and the studies are promising. nano-HAp remineralization is less resistant to acid, so please consider fluoride as soon as possible.
As always, consult with a dentist and get their advice before doing anything with your children’s teeth — including having regular check-ups with them.
Maintaining systemic fluoride during development does seem attractive to develop tooth structure that is more resistant to acid throughout. However, I believe establishing and maintaining consistent care with dentists and developing solid oral health routines and diet practices, as early in life as possible, are all necessary steps to take and are more than sufficient.
Enamel damage and tooth decay doesn’t magically happen, and education lasts for a lifetime.
Obviously education about brushing and flossing and a healthy diet help more, if the family is able to afford the food and toothbrushes and regular dental care. But in areas where (natural or added) fluoride levels in the water are higher (within a limit of 1.5 ppm, twice what is set for when fluoride is added), there is observed to be less tooth decay and better overall dental health even when controlling the data for the elements you cited.
Calcium makes teeth strong. Fluoride prevents cavities.
…by strengthening the enamel. Which is a part of the tooth.