There have been some misconceptions surrounding fluoride use and its effects on the human body. Fluoride is a mineral that can actually be found naturally in our water and food. Some of these misconceptions include potentially increasing your risk of getting cancer if excess amounts of fluoride are ingested. 

The team at Archbold Family Dental wants to debunk some of these common myths and explain why fluoride can actually be extremely beneficial to your health.

Myth: Fluoridation can lead to cancer and a number of other serious illnesses.

Fact: More than 3,200 studies have been conducted concerning fluoridation which means the mineral and its effects have been under much scrutiny. The CDC has even compiled reports with evidence from various health professionals to support that fluoridation is completely safe with no link to causing cancer. 

Myth: Fluoride can be especially harmful to younger kids.

Fact: Quite the opposite, actually. It is recommended that children who get enough levels of fluoride are actually strengthening their teeth to last them through their lifetime. With fluoridated drinking water as part of their routine diet, children are more likely to develop decay-resistant teeth, which, in turn, will reduce the number of cavities they would have potentially gotten if fluoride was absent. 

Myth: The fluoride in our toothpaste is good enough.

Fact: Although our toothpaste may contain fluoride, the mineral’s teeth-strengthening properties work more effectively in fluoridated water. Dentists may even prescribe fluoride tablets to help boost their dental development. 

Myth: Community fluoridation is extremely expensive.

Fact: On the contrary, community fluoridation has been found to be one of the most cost-effective ways of delivering adequate levels of fluoride to greater numbers of people. Community water fluoridation is also inexpensive to maintain.

Fluoride has actually been proven to be quite effective at helping improve your overall dental health and well-being. Water fluoridation not only helps your children develop decay-resistant teeth, but it’s also the most cost-effective way of delivering the appropriate levels of fluoride to most people. If you have any questions or concerns regarding fluoride, and its use, give our office a call and we’d be happy to help!