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:
Special Instructions for Children Being Vaccinated Against Flu for the First Time:
Children 6 months up to 9 years of age getting a flu vaccine for the first time will need two doses of vaccine the first year they are vaccinated. If possible, the first dose should be given in September or as soon as vaccine becomes available. The second dose should be given 28 or more days after the first dose. The first dose "primes" the immune system; the second dose provides immune protection. Children who only get one dose but who need two doses can have reduced or no protection from a single dose of flu vaccine. Two doses are necessary to protect these children. If your child needs two doses, begin the process early, so that children are protected before influenza starts circulating in your community. Be sure to follow up to get your child a second dose if they need one. It usually takes about two weeks after the second dose for protection to begin.
Because flu viruses change every year, the vaccine is updated annually. So even if you or your children got a flu vaccine last year, you both still need to get a flu vaccine this season to remain protected. If October and November slip by, and you haven’t gotten your children or yourself vaccinated, get vaccinated in December or later.
