Fluoride Treatment Side Effects

Your dentist may have recently recommended you start getting fluoride treatments to help prevent tooth decay. What is fluoride? Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that comes from the element fluorine. Due to its proven health benefits, fluoride has many medicinal uses today. For example, decades ago public health officials decided that in all major US communities Fluoride should be added to public drinking water to prevent tooth decay. Fluoride can also be found in most toothpastes and mouthwashes. For older adults with osteoporosis or individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, fluoride taken orally can help treat weakened bones or help prevent bone loss. You may be noticing there are many noted benefits of fluoride, but you may be wondering are there possible side effects? Below is more information about fluoride treatments and the side effects.

How Does Fluoride Work?

Fluoride treatments work by helping maintain the minerals in the tooth’s enamel and protecting teeth from the bacteria in plaque that breaks down enamel. Bacteria in the mouth from everyday food and beverages is normal, but when good oral hygiene is not maintained, this bacteria can cause mineral loss in the tooth’s enamel and result in weakened teeth that are susceptible to decay. When fluoride is applied directly to the teeth through fluoride treatments it helps add minerals to the enamel and therefore helps the enamel stay strong to protect the teeth.

Side Effects of Fluoride Treatment

Studies have shown that in moderately low doses, fluoride is safe for most people. This low dose includes the average amount in the public water supplies, toothpastes and mouthwashes, and applied by dentists. In addition, it is possible to take supplemental fluoride in a low dose (up to 20 mg per day of elemental fluoride) and still be ingesting a safe amount. Consuming and being exposed to too much fluoride can weaken bones and ligaments, and potentially cause muscle weakness or problems with the nervous system. For children, too much fluoride can cause tooth discoloration. If you or your family uses a toothpaste of mouthwash with fluoride at home, it is best to not swallow these on a regular bases, and it is best to spit these products out as you normally would. This is especially important for children.

Special precaution is recommended for mothers who are pregnant or breast-feeding. While fluoride is safe during pregnancy and breast-feeding, it is recommended that smaller doses are maintained. A safe dose recommended is below the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 10 mg per day of when applied directly to the teeth in toothpastes and mouthwashes. While higher doses are not recommended, no additional side effects have been found beyond those associated with the much higher doses, which includes weakened bones and ligaments, muscle weakness, and potential nervous system problems.

Overall, if your dentist recommends additional or routine fluoride treatment, you should consider it. The natural element has many potential benefits and will reduce the risk of tooth decay and the associated effects.

More information on Fluoride Treatments : Fluoride Treatment and Tooth Sensitivity