The Verdict: Is Fluoride Safe to Use for Teeth?

Fluoride usage is a controversial topic in the world of dentistry. On one side, advocates believe fluoride is an essential chemical important in preventing tooth decay. The other side calls for its ban citing its toxicity to the human body.

Who’s Right?

Multiple studies have been performed on both sides’ arguments. However, when discussing matters of this scale we often turn to the World Health Organization (WHO) to see what they have decided.

The Study of Water Fluoridation

To Fluoride or Not To Fluoride?

First off, many countries have banned the use of fluoride in water on the basis that fluoride is highly toxic to the human body. The U.S. has not banned water fluoridation.

The WHO has observed negligible difference in tooth decay between fluoridated countries and non-fluoridated countries; in other words, no significant difference between the two. So why are we using water fluoridation?

Good question. When WHO began running multiple in-depth studies on the efficacy if water fluoridation on tooth decay, they began seeing significant results.

Their studies have repeatedly shown that the addition of fluoride to drinking water in areas where levels of this element are low helps to decrease tooth decay in that area.

The Verdict

Based on what the World Health Organization has found over the course of multiple controlled studies, they have concluded that the use of fluoride to prevent cavities should be advocated – especially during the development of teeth in children aged 6-16 years ago.

However, it should be noted that fluoride does not cure tooth decay that has already formed – it helps to prevent cavities occurring in the first place.

Fluoride is found in more than just drinking water. These studies have caused toothpaste brands to add fluoride into toothpastes, mouth rinses, and even gel concentration applied by your dentist in the form of a dental sealant.

The study and other information pertaining fluoride in drinking water can be found here.