You might have heard the news last month out of Calgary: dentists have finally been able to gather enough data to make conclusions about their water defluoridation in 2011, and the results don’t look good for those nervous about fluoride!
A lot of people maintain fears over water fluoridation. They worry that it’s a carcinogen, that fluoride serves no benefit, and that it’s harmful to the mental development of their children. Our New Albany dental team are definitely advocates for fluoride, and we’ve said many times that there are no figures to actually back that up.
The recent results out of Calgary simply serve to show how easy water fluoridation is and what a difference it can make!
What The Study Found
When the city removed Fluoride from their water supply in 2011 they gave a number of justifications: it wasn’t beneficial, it cost too much, and it was dangerous were common refrains. Ever since then dentists have been keeping a close eye on some of the people most affected by water fluoridation: children.
The study, released on the 17th of February this year, found that cavity rates among second graders in Calgary had skyrocketed. The control population in Edmonton, who still fluoridated their water, found no noticeable change.
Local dentists have reported that around 50 percent of the children they are seeing come in with cavities – way higher than they should be seeing! The spike is directly attributable to removing fluoride from the water supply, and has city officials serious reconsidering their decision.
The Truth About Fluoride
For all the scare tactics that make their way into our email inboxes or Facebook feeds there’s a serious truth that often counters it, especially when it comes to fluoride. That truth, unfortunately, has had to be tested on the young of Calgary, who it appears have ended up with serious tooth decay due to the decision.
Fluoride is a tried and tested way of preventing tooth decay and even restoring damaged teeth. The studies that naysayers have latched on to are few and outdated, and here’s the nail in the coffin: they were performed in remote regions of India where natural fluoride levels were several times higher than what we add to our water supplies!
It’s undisputedly true that fluoride, in incredibly high concentrations, can be dangerous. Then again, so is oxygen! Any chemical can be dangerous when you’re exposed to too much of it, which was shown to be true by those old studies. But we don’t need to worry about that here in New Albany or Calgary: we carefully monitor fluoride levels to ensure safety and effectiveness.
What Fluoride Does For Your Teeth
Fluoride has the unique ability to completely undo the damage caused by plaque bacteria. When you eat foods containing sugar your oral bacteria metabolizes it into acids that slowly wear away your teeth’s defensive enamel. Once the enamel is breached bacteria will continue to enter your teeth, doing invisible but devastating damage.
Over time this can completely destroy your teeth, leaving you needing crowns, bridges, or other dental restorations.
Fluoride remineralizes your teeth, actually bonding to the surfaces of teeth and restoring lost enamel. A constant flow of it can actually restore minor surface damage and prevent cavities – and it really works! You can find added fluoride in toothpastes, mouthwash, and other products but the most simple and effective way to ensure everyone is getting enough fluoride is to add it to tap water.
Tapping Into Healthy Teeth
You don’t just drink tap water – you cook with it, bathe in it, and interact with it in a variety of ways, all of which help protect and restore your teeth. Don’t make the same mistake that Calgary did by avoiding fluoride in your water. We can assure you that it’s not only safe but also important to your long term dental health!
When you come to New Albany Implants for any kind of dental care we’ll always take a look at your teeth to be sure you’re looking healthy and cavity-free. We may recommend fluoride products and other treatments for you, and you don’t need to be nervous about them. We care about your oral health and the continued shape of your smile.
Do Your Teeth A Favor: Get An Exam
We love being able to tell patients that their teeth are in great shape. Even when they aren’t we enjoy working with people just like you to restore their oral health, confidence, and happiness. Let us help you keep your smile in tip-top shape by calling our New Albany office today!
You can reach us by phone at (812) 945-7645 or you can request an appointment right here online. We look forward to seeing you soon!