For decades, dentists around the world have used fluoride to help keep teeth healthy and strong. Then why is there a controversy these days over whether fluoride is safe or not? Mostly because of misinformation and scams.
That’s why you need to call our Nashua, NH dental office today at 603-546-7460 and schedule an appointment for a dental exam. Our dentists are highly trained and stay current with dental research and studies. They know how fluoride treatments are not only safe but great ways to strengthen your teeth.
A Controversy Thanks To Fake News
You’ve probably heard about the phenomenon of fake news. It’s when someone pushes inaccuracies and lies online. Mostly this is done through Facebook memes and websites. The problem is that fake news often looks like the real thing.
That’s what is behind the recent resurgence in folks who think fluoride is bad for you. These people either mean well and just do not have the facts, or they are creating a fake problem to sell a fake solution.
Why Fluoride Is Good For Your Teeth
To be completely clear, fluoride is safe. That’s been established over and over again. (True, way too much fluoride can be unhealthy. That’s true of any mineral. Too much sodium, calcium, potassium, or iron can cause health problems, but none of those are “dangerous”.)
Fluoride helps by working with your enamel. Enamel is very strong, but acidic foods (like coffee or juice) and sugary foods (like candy or regular soda) can lead to tooth decay and erosion. Your enamel gets weaker thanks to acids and sugars.
Here are the fluoride effects that make it good for your teeth.:
- Fluoride reverses small amounts of damage to enamel.
- Fluoride helps enamel resist damage caused by acids.
- Fluoride helps children grow adult teeth that are stronger and more resistant to damage.
That’s why our dentists might offer fluoride treatments to children and adults during our dental cleanings and dental exams. Simply put, it makes your teeth stronger.
Fluoride Myths And Truths
Then why do some people think fluoride is bad for you? Here are several myths about the dangers of fluoride and the truths showing why these are just myths.
MYTH – Fluoride is not natural.
TRUTH – Fluoride is a mineral that is found naturally in water.
Fluoride is a 100% natural mineral much like potassium or iron. It occurs naturally in water. That’s how people discovered fluoride’s benefits. People who drank well water with more fluoride in it had fewer cavities than other people.
MYTH – Studies link low IQ to fluoride use.
FACT – Those studies are either fake or purposefully misinterpreted.
Some fake news includes references to studies showing a connection between using fluoride and having a lower IQ. Thankfully, there are problems with this claim. Many of these studies actually say there is no connection between the two — fake news sites hope you won’t actually read the studies
When a study did find a connection, it’s only when the amount of fluoride taken was insanely high and world’s away from what you find in drinking water or toothpaste. That’s true for anything. Eat an insane amount of kale and you can be poisoned. Drink too much water and you could fall into a coma.
MYTH – Fluoride is bad for you because it’s used in rat poison.
TRUTH – Fluoride for your teeth is much different from chemicals that are part fluoride.
The key to this is understanding why this is fake is knowing the difference between keeping a pool clean and enjoying french fries. Chlorine is toxic. Sodium chloride is table salt. It might look like the two are very similar, but a small change makes for a completely different product.
Rat poison contains sodium fluoroacetate (FCH2CO2Na). Dentists use sodium fluoride (NaF). Again, there’s a small difference in words, but there’s a huge difference in how your body reacts. What you’ll find in tap water, toothpaste, and fluoride treatments at our Nashua, NH dental office is completely safe.
Call us TODAY at 603-546-7460 or use our convenient online form to schedule a dental exam. Our dentists will thoroughly examine your teeth for any problems. Then they recommend the best treatment options available. Don’t let fake news or Facebook posts mislead you about how fluoride is helpful and safe.