Flouride Controversy: Information from our Riverside Cosmetic and Dental Wellness Office

The “gold standard” in treating tooth decay by dental professionals for the past 50 plus years has been fluoride.  However, years of research discrediting the beneficial claims the American Dental Assoication has placed on fluoride is now coming to light.  Some of you may have heard about some possible harmful side effects of fluoride.  Or you may be struggling with cavities in your own mouth even though you are using a fluoride toothpaste and rinse.  There is increasing evidence that fluoride may not be the best tool in fighting cavities and it may actually be harmful to you.  If you read your toothpaste label, most will tell you to call a poison control center if you ingest too much.  Why is that?  If fluoride was harmless, that label would not be necessary.  There are plenty of controversial and debatable topics on the safety of fluoride and any quick internet search will expose you to both pros and cons on the safety of this substance.  Some dentists are still recommending fluoride pills for children to ingest.  I highly disagree with this practice because of the risks of fluorosis (a permanent staining of the teeth) and the possible health risks associated with fluoride poisoning.

There is also an increasing amount of research that shows that fluoride is not very effective at fighting decay.  With more money being spent on cavity research, findings indicate that focusing on acid reduction in the mouth is more effective at reducing cavities than just regular brushing and rinsing with fluoride products.  Carifree makes a product which is university tested and studied that helps reduce cavities by fighting the acid levels in our saliva.  One of the main ingredients is xylitol which is used as a sugar substitute due to it’s sweetness.  There is an increasing amount of research which shows that xylitol is a far superior product than fluoride in fighting decay.  Xylitol is a naturally occurring substance that has no known toxic side effects.  When reviewing chewing gum, candies, or dental products look for the ingredient xylitol, which used after each meal can lower your risk of tooth decay.  Xylitol also stimulates a healthier flow of saliva.  We can now fight decay more effectively and without the potential harmful effects of fluoride.  Our dental team will assist you in making the right preventative choices when it comes to choosing safe and effective dental products for you and your family.  If you have any questions please contact our Inland Empire Preventative and Dental Wellness office at 951-686-3666.