Flouride & Your Health

What is fluoride, and why is it good for my teeth?

Fluoride is a compound of the element fluorine
Found naturally in water, soil, air and most foods
Absorbed easily into tooth enamel, especially in children's growing teeth
Fluoride makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay

What's a "topical" fluoride, and when should I use it?

Found in products containing strong concentrations of fluoride to fight tooth decay
Brush with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day or after every meal
Professionally administered topical fluorides such as gels or varnishes are applied by dentists and left on for about four minutes, usually during a cleaning treatment
Patients with a high risk of dental caries may be prescribed a special gel for daily home use

Why is most of the water we drink fluoridated?

Fluoridated water protects against cavities and root caries
More than 144 million Americans in more than 10,000 communities drink fluoridated water, most from public water supplies with sodium fluoride added artificially
A small percentage gets water from private wells with naturally fluoridated water
Water fluoridation is endorsed by nearly every major health and safety-related organization
Fluoridation of community water supplies is the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay and to improve oral health

Can I get too much fluoride?

Fluoride is considered safe unless it's misused or over-concentrated
Drinking excessively fluoridated water can cause dental fluorosis, a harmless cosmetic discoloring or mottling of the enamel, visible by chalky white specks and lines or pitted and brown stained enamel on developing teeth
Avoid swallowing toothpaste, mouth rinses or other topical supplements

Are children more sensitive to fluoride?

Children are vulnerable to dental fluorosis because their developing teeth are sensitive to higher fluoride levels
They are at greater risk if they swallow or use too much toothpaste and fluoride supplements, or regularly drink water containing excessive fluoride levels
Monitor your child's intake and use of fluoride, and consult with your family dentist

Reprinted with permission from the Academy of General Dentistry

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Health Tip:

Packing Bag Lunches Safely

If you pack lunches for your child to take to school, be careful that you do not accidentally expose them to foodborne illness.

Bagged lunches, especially those containing perishable foods, need to be packed and handled properly in order to keep the food safe. In general, perishable foods should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. If left out too long, the temperature of the food can enter the danger zone where bacteria grow most rapidly, which is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Below are some tips to help families pack bagged lunches safely:

Pack foods that are nonperishable and won't require refrigeration.
If you do pack perishable foods such as luncheon meats or prepackaged cheese and crackers, include a frozen gel pack or a frozen juice carton with the food in an insulated lunch bag or box.
Pack only the amount of perishable food that your child can eat at lunch.
Preparing lunches the night before and storing them in the refrigerator until you pack your child's lunchbox in the morning can help keep food cold longer the next day.
Don't reuse packaging materials such as paper or plastic bags, aluminum foil, etc. as they can contaminate other foods and cause foodborne illness. Have your child discard all used food packaging and paper bags after lunch.

Before eating lunch or snacks at school, make sure your child washes his or her hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If your child's school does not have a handwashing program in place, encourage them to adopt a such a program, as handwashing is one of the best ways kids and parents can protect health and stop the spread of germs.