Dental Fluorosis In The United States

If left untreated, pulp infection can lead to abscess, destruction of bone, and systemic infection (Cawson et al. 1982; USDHHS 2000). Various sources have concluded that water fluoridation has been an effective method for preventing dental decay (Newbrun 1989; Ripa 1993; Horowitz 1996; CDC 2001; Truman et al. 2002). Water fluoridation is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as one of the 10 great public health achievements in the United States, because of its role in reducing tooth decay in children and tooth loss in adults (CDC 1999). Each U.S. Surgeon General has endorsed water fluoridation over the decades it has been practiced, emphasizing that “[a] significant advantage of water fluoridation is that all residents of a community can enjoy its protective benefit…. A person’s income level or ability to receive dental care is not a barrier to receiving fluoridation’s health benefits” (Carmona 2004). As noted earlier, this report does not evaluate nor make judgments about the benefits, safety, or efficacy of artificial water fluoridation. That practice is reviewed only in terms of being a source of exposure to

Study indicates strong association in children <8 y/o developing fluorosis in areas with fluoridated water (18)

Fluorides are compounds that have been combined with the element fluorine with another substance usually a metal (Cancer.org 2015). Fluoride is a naturally occurring element found in rocks, in soil everywhere, in fresh water and in ocean water (Fluoride information network 2015). Fluorides strengthen teeth already present inside the mouth. Once in the digestive tract they travel through the blood to areas with high

Infants are most at risk since they consume the highest amounts per body weight through formulas. Dental fluorosis a condition that shows up in the discoloration of tooth enamel, and is a bi-product of getting too much fluoride in the diet. Dental fluorosis shows up in later years as presenting as white spots, pitting and a permanent and intrinsic darkening. This condition is systematic of a wider range of problems.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “dental fluorosis is a change in appearance of the tooth’s enamel. These changes vary from barely

While the use of fluoride is beneficial, we cannot ignore the harmful effects of using fluoride. Uncontrolled fluoride intake can be very counter reproductive and sometimes lead to chronic conditions that change your lifestyle.

Added to toothpastes and mouth washes to help defend your teeth from cavities is fluoride. Fluoride helps in teeth support and repairs broken surfaces. It works by forming a strong compound with other chemicals on your teeth so that they’ll be less-prone to acid attack. The acid comes from the bacteria that live on sugars we eat. Brushing and flossing your teeth will get rid of the bacteria and rinse them away but it doesn’t help in the long term. Fluoride works to form a compound that is long lasting to keep your teeth healthy and strong.

Currently, the majority of the United States is fluoridating with industrial waste without sound scientific evidence of the potential environmental and health impacts. The American Dental Association and other governmental agencies rely on bad science that was done over seventy years ago to justify water fluoridation. The governmental agencies continue to claim it safeguards against cavities. However, recent studies have proven there is no correlation between fluoride and cavity prevention. Communities without fluoridation are shown to have the same decline in cavities as non-fluoridated communities. These results can be attributed to improved diets and dental healthcare. Furthermore, the studies that are being conducted on health prove that fluoridation irreversibly harms the body. Extensive studies on the effects of fluoridation in the environment also need to occur.

According to Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General, “ Epidemiological studies carried out during the last five decades provide strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of water fluoridation in preventing coronal and root caries in children and adults.” (USDHHS, 2000) This initiative, while beneficial, must be monitored to ensure that optimal levels of fluoride are present to minimize the risks, most notably fluorosis, which can occur. In a University of York study on fluoridation levels, it was found that at fluoride levels of only 1.0ppm, fluorosis levels in the public were nearly 48% (McDonagh et. al., 2000). Through doing its job by evaluating, reporting, and potentially working to improve its results, the water districts are working to both maximize the benefit of the public, and also minimize the potential risks associated with

Elevated fluoride can lead to defects in the enamel ranging from white specks or striations to rough and pitted surfaces. Very mild fluorosis can go without being detected because it is similar in appearance to other conditions. Using antibiotics as a child can cause white spots on the teeth that are similar to fluorosis. Tetracycline causes a dark tooth discoloration as well. Fluorosis is due to fluoride deposited in the tooth as it is maturing, therefore the effects cannot be seen until the tooth erupts (Carey, 2014). Sources of fluoride during these early years can occur from ingestion of infant formula, drinking water that has higher than optimum levels of fluoride, fluoride toothpaste ingestion, or from inappropriately supervised fluoride supplements (Carey, 2014). The ADA and CDC now recommend that fluoridated water be used to prepare infant formula (Carey, 2014). There has been an increase in very mild and mild fluorosis, meaning that children are ingesting more than the optimal amounts of fluoride. It is up to the dental profession to carefully monitor both caries and fluorosis incidence for the next 6-10 years as the effects of the change in drinking water fluoride may reduce the impact of the halo effect more greatly than anticipated (Carey,

Fluoride is a mineral that happens actually in all sustenances and water supplies. The fluoride particle originates from the component fluorine. Fluorine, the thirteenth most bottomless component in the world 's covering, is never experienced in its free state in nature. It exists just in mix with different components as a fluoride compound. Fluoride is compelling in anticipating and turning around the early indications of tooth rot. Scientists have demonstrated that there are a few routes through which fluoride accomplishes its rot preventive impacts. It makes the tooth structure more grounded, so teeth are more impervious to corrosive assaults. Corrosive is framed when the microscopic organisms in plaque separate sugars and starches from the eating regimen. Rehashed corrosive assaults separate the tooth, which causes cavities.

Both of these properties are scientifically documented. Fluoride is very good for your teeth, says Katarina.

The main form of protection against caries is fluoride. Fluoride is of the utmost importance because it helps teeth remineralize, and slows down the progression of caries. Among one of the studies done to determine whether or not fluoride has a protective effect against caries, Dr. Douglass of University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine has found that fluoride significantly decreases cavities (2). Her study shows that the odds ratio for caries incidence between fluoridated teeth versus non-fluoridated teeth was 3.8 (95% CI: 1.9, 7.6). Additionally, she found a significant decrease in DFS (decayed/filled) scores for cavitated lesions with high fluoride treatment compared to no treatment at all. This article helps prove that fluoride applied to teeth is a protective factor against

Fluoride has the ability to prevent tooth decay and this is extremely important therefore in a controlled manner many countries including Australia have added fluoride to their drinking water

i. Although defenders of fluoride continue to claim that there are no dangers in using fluoride for dental care, the facts speak for themselves. Dr. Edward Group, who in his 2015 article “The Dangers of Fluoride” stated that “Every year Poison Control centers receive thousands of calls from people