Fear of fluoride: how it spreads and the impacts on oral health
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Abstract
The fluoridation of community water has been a hotly contested topic since it was first introduced. Fluoride helps to strengthen enamel structure and stave off cavities. Dental decay can be deadly and lead to sepsis, the life-threatening reaction of the body to an infection. Those with low socioeconomic status and children are among those who can suffer the most from dental decay.
Many people live without access to dental care and good-quality dental clinics. Fluoride is even more vital to these people because it can strengthen enamel and minimize dental decay. Fluoridating community water supplies is a low-cost solution to remedy this issue and can be a viable option for helping communities that have less resources and are underserved. Community acceptance is needed for the fluoridation to be implemented and of benefit.
Although children can have some of the best benefits from fluoride with their newly erupted teeth, many parents choose to not allow their children to drink fluoridated water. This is despite several decades of research showing its safety and its effectiveness in protecting teeth development, especially primary teeth. Oftentimes falsehoods about fluoride spread which make it challenging for dental providers to educate caregivers on the benefits of fluoride.
Although fears persist surrounding the potential negative effects of fluoride and fluoridated water sources, there is no substantial evidence that the fluoride levels found in monitored, regulated, drinking water cause significant negative effects. The most common complaint of enamel fluorosis can be avoided by proper regulation of concentration, and its appearance if observed mitigated. Furthermore, the claim that fluoride in the levels found in supplemented water supplies cause cancer, attention deficit disorder, cognitive and other learning issues, lacks supportive evidence as discussed here. Studies both locally and globally, have demonstrated the safe and effective use of fluoridated water in protecting enamel, reducing early childhood caries, and helping to mitigate dental health disparities.
Fluoride at the level present in community water sources is healthful and safe and should be consumed by individuals. This can be especially beneficial to those who are marginalized, and lack other access to oral health resources, especially children with developing teeth, as it is a key means of support for their oral health and wellbeing.
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Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International