Jarred K. Donald, DDS
16631 Coit Rd #114
Dallas, TX 75248
972-818-4300
888-49-SMILE
Patient Education - General Dentist Information in Dallas
Fluoride
For decades, fluoride has been held in high regard by the dental
community as an important mineral that is absorbed into and strengthens
tooth enamel, and thereby helping to prevent decay of tooth structures.
In nearly every U.S. community, public drinking supplies are
supplemented with sodium fluoride because the practice is acknowledged
as safe and effective in fighting cavities.
Some private wells may contain naturally fluoridated water.
Fluoride has come under some recent scrutiny by public health
officials, some of whom question how effective it is in preventing
cavities.
Bottled Water and Home Water Treatment Systems
The American Dental Association has maintained that consistent use
of bottled water could result in individuals missing the benefits of
optimally fluoridated water. Moreover, the ADA has held that some home
water treatment systems change fluoridated water supplies for the
worse.
Enamel Fluorosis
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a child
may face a condition called enamel fluorosis if he or she gets too much
fluoride during the years of tooth development. Too much fluoride can
result in defects in tooth enamel.
Water Fluoridation
If you're wondering how fluoridated your community's water supply
is, chances are you can get the latest information by visiting the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) web site.
A feature called My Water's Fluoride allows consumers to
check out basic information about their water system, including the
number of people served by the system and the target fluoridation
level. Optimal levels recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service and
CDC for drinking water range from 0.7 parts per million (ppm) for
warmer climates to 1.2 ppm for cooler climates to account for the
tendency for people to drink more water in warmer climates.
Toothpaste Warning Labels
The American Dental Association has stated that the FDA-required
warning labels on toothpaste packaging, which state that poison control
centers should be contacted if one swallows fluoride toothpaste, could
unnecessarily frighten parents and children, and that the label greatly
overstates any demonstrated or potential danger posed by fluoride
toothpastes.
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