How does the fluoride in toothpaste prevent cavaties? Is there any kind of natural fluoride protection, or is it only in artificial compounds?

FROM HOWSTUFFWORKS.COM

To reduce the incidence of cavities, use toothpaste and mouthwash that contain fluoride. Fluoride is a compound that is added to most tap water supplies, toothpastes, and mouth rinses to reduce cavities. Fluoride becomes incorporated into our teeth as they develop and makes them more resistant to decay. After our teeth are formed, fluoride can reverse the progress of early cavities, and sometimes prevent the need for corrective dental treatment.

The recent drop in the number of cavities is largely due to the addition of fluoride to our drinking water. Mass water fluoridation is the most cost-effective measure available to reduce the incidence of tooth decay. The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the acceptable tap water concentration for fluoride is 0.7 to 1.2 parts per million. Much higher levels have been associated with chalky white discolorations of the teeth known as fluorosis.



From http://www.medisearch.co.uk/scripts/dental_preventing.asp

Many studies have shown that a trace amount of fluoride in the diet provides a safe, effective means of reducing the incidence of dental caries (decay). Generally, fluoridation of the water supply at 1 part per million has been shown to reduce decay rates by around 50%. It does not give complete protection - minimal sugar consumption and good plaque control are also necessary.

A number of mechanisms are thought to be involved:

Fluoride converts the mineral content of enamel from calcium hydroxyapatite to calcium fluorapatite, which is more resistant to acid attack.
Exposure to fluoride can completely reverse the development of early carious lesions by remineralisation.
Fluoride blocks the enzymes of plaque bacteria, inhibiting the conversion of sugar to acid.
If taken during early childhood when the permanent teeth are forming, fluoride causes them to develop with smoother contours, so that they are less vulnerable to decay.

If the water where you live is not fluoridated (most of the United Kingdom), then you should always use a fluoride toothpaste. Children living in such areas may benefit from additional measures, such as fluoride supplements or the application of topical fluoride. Consult your dentist to establish specific requirements - these will depend upon the fluoride level in the water and individual susceptibility to decay.

If your water supply contains the optimal level of fluoride - or more - then it is not necessary to use a fluoride toothpaste. In fact, it is best to avoid any additional sources of fluoride, especially for children - excessive consumption during tooth development can lead to an unsightly mottling of the teeth, a condition known as fluorosis.

Did you know that fluoride is actually a natural compound - it comes from the Flourite crystal. And most water within the US already has fluoride in it. Fluoride was once thought of as an element to strengthen the tooth enamel but recent studies have shown that flouride now causes more harm than good. Over exposure to fluoride actually causes an increase in decay as well as compounds other physical ailments such as Alzeihmer's. And did you know that fluoride has never been FDA approved?

just a note on the lack of FDA approval. This is really just because it doesn't technically fall under the heading of "food" or "drug" so the FDA has no authority in the matter. This is also why vitamins don't require FDA approval (which, btw, is a reason why vitamins are one area where generics are not always as good as brand name... nobody's actually in charge of checking to see if they really contain what they claim).

Georgia85:

I think you've been hoodwinked

The American Dental Association (ADA) endorses fluoridation. Their published opinion can be found HERE. It begins:

quote:

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American Dental Association Statement on Water
Fluoridation Efficacy and Safety

June 29, 2000--The American Dental Association has endorsed fluoridation of community water supplies as safe and effective for preventing tooth decay for more than 40 years. Fluoride is nature's cavity fighter, occurring naturally in the earth's crust, in combination with other minerals in rocks and soil. Small amounts of fluoride occur naturally in all water sources, and varying amounts of the mineral are found in all foods and beverages. Water fluoridation is the process of adjusting the natural level of fluoride to a concentration sufficient to protect against tooth decay, a range of from 0.7 parts per million to 1.2 ppm.

"Water fluoridation has been recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th Century," said ADA President Richard F. Mascola, D.D.S. "Fluoride's benefits are particularly important for those Americans, especially children, who lack adequate access to dental care. It is safe, effective and by far the best bang for the nation's public health buck."

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They go on to explain how their conclusions are based on scientifically valid evidence, how fluoridation is also endoresed by the AMA, American Academy of Pediatrics, World Health Org., and many other international bodies.

There is a whole lunatic-fringe subculture of anti-fluoride nuts. Like other kinds of pseudoscience, its proponents can be very persuasive and vocal despite being totally wrong.

[This message was edited by Professor on 07-19-02 at 09:02 PM.]

quote:

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Originally posted by Professor:

There is a whole lunatic-fringe subculture of anti-fluoride nuts. Like other kinds of pseudoscience, its proponents can be very persuasive and vocal despite being totally wrong.

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While there is an extreme out there, extreme use of fluoride IS bad for you. The following is from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which regulates the amount of fluoride in toothpastes and bottled water (tap water is the Environmental Protection Agency's job). Because the relevant part might be hard to find in such a long article, I'll post the relatively long passage.

"Consumers need to be sure that children don't use fluoride products without supervision because excess ingestion of fluoride can cause defects in the tooth's enamel that range from barely noticeable white specks or streaks to cosmetically objectionable brown discoloration. The defects, known as fluorosis, occur while the teeth are forming, usually in children under 6 years. Although tooth staining from fluorosis cannot be removed with normal hygiene, a dentist may be able to lighten or remove these stains with professional-strength abrasives or bleaches.

"Although excess fluoride intake can be toxic, most reported adverse reactions involve vomiting, diarrhea and eye irritation. Because fluoride is a drug, FDA requires toothpaste manufacturers to include on the labels of fluoride toothpastes a warning that the products should be kept out of the reach of children under 6. In addition, because FDA requires all over-the-counter oral drugs to bear an accidental-ingestion warning, toothpaste labels also must carry a warning that instructs consumers to contact a professional or a Poison Control Center if more than the normal amount used for brushing is swallowed. This labeling requirement took effect April 1997."

FDA Consumer magazine May-June 1999

I have seen children who grew up in areas where there is quite a bit of it naturally occurring in the rocks, and as a result it is present in the water systems in a greater-than-desirable amounts. Their teeth looked slightly mottled: the enamel was not perfectly uniform in color. But the kids were otherwise healthy and had no cavities! Good for bones, too.

I agree that too much of a good thing is bad.

In fact, I was surprised that the ADA's recommended range of fluoride levels (see my quote above) is so narrow -- less than a factor of 2 leeway.

Still, fluorosis (fluoride toxicity) is uncommon. It barely rates a couple of sentences in Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, a 2500-page tome. Fluorosis is overshadowed by the public health problem of fluoride deficiency.

Just trying to keep things in perspective.

The opposition to fluoride began sensibly enough. Many years ago, when some municipalities considered adding fluoride to drinking water, the measure was opposed by people who objected to the addition of ANY substance to drinking water, other than what was absolutely required for purification.
Then it seems the idiot fringe who oppose government at all in any form joined the bandwagon and muddied the issue, citing a lot of bad science, and eventually discredited the movement.
Be careful who your friends are.