Yes. Fluoride if consumed in concentrations greater than 1 PPM (part per million) for extended periods of time can result in a dental condition known as Fluorosis. Fluorosis, in severe cases can result in the deformation of the tooth enamel, making it appear "mottled" with brown pits.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring element. It has been proven that routine application of fluoride helps re-mineralization of enamel preventing tooth decay. Both children and adults benefit from fluoride use. Many children do not have good oral hygiene habits and tend to eat excessive amounts of sugar. These situations leave children much more prone to tooth decay. Because many adults do not have good oral hygiene habits and eat excessive amounts of sugar they are also prone to tooth decay.

There are many factors which influence the susceptibility of teeth to decay. Some of these factors may be inherited (shape of teeth), others may be influenced by environment (fluoride) or behaviour (brushing). Clean teeth do not decay. Although some people are more immune to decay than others, with good dental care cavities can be prevented. If you have a lot of fillings or even dentures your child can still grow up with healthy teeth.

The Fluoride Varnish is painted on the teeth with a small disposable brush. It is quick, painless, easy and does not have a bad taste. Yes, your child should still see a dentist regularly. This is not a substitute for daily brushing and flossing or regular dental checkups.

This is a topic that needs further study. Studies suggest that fluoride may have adverse effects on the developing brain, and because there is such widespread exposure through drinking water, more research into health effects is needed.

Current intake is estimated to be between 5 and 7 mg/day in "optimally fluoridated" areas. Current fluoride intake is equally divided between drinking water (in fluoridated areas), food, other beverages, and dental products, meaning that even if you don't live in a fluoridated area, fluoride is endangering your health. Average fluoride content in juices is 0.02 to 2.80 parts per million, in part because of variations in fluoride concentrations of water used in production.

Fluoride seems almost ubiquitous in today’s environment. If however, you live in an area where the water is non-fluoridated (well-water), then supplemental fluoride should be prescribed for the child. Consult your dentist or physician for a prescription and appropriate dosage. If your water supply is fluoridated, then you do not require supplemental fluoride for your child.

Fluoride is a mineral found in nature. There is fluoride in the ocean, in the earth's crust and in fresh water.

Tooth decay is one of the most common preventable diseases seen in children. Children as young as 12-18 months can get cavities. Cavities in children's teeth can cause pain and prevent children from eating, speaking, sleeping and learning.

Do not eat hard or chewy foods or chew gum on the treatment day. This might chip the Fluoride Varnish off. The Fluoride Varnish is yellow, therefore, teeth will appear yellow for 24 hours. This yellow color will go away when the teeth are brushed the next day. Children taking fluoride supplements (drops or tablets) should discontinue the use of the supplements for 3 days after following the treatment.

Bad breath is caused by bacteria in the mouth. Just brushing will not remove all the bacteria, so floss daily (to clean between the teeth), use a tongue cleaner to remove bacteria and food debris and rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash that is clinically proven to help combat bad breath. If your gums are red, swollen or bleed when you brush or floss you may have gum disease, which can also cause bad breath. If the problem persists speak to your dentist or oral hygienist for expert advice.

Fluoride makes the enamel more resistant to cavities. Fluoride is available in two forms, the kind we ingest from the water supply or tablets, and the topical kind from toothpaste, rinses and from professional applications in the dental office. It is possible to ingest too much fluoride by swallowing too many tablets or too much toothpaste when a child is young, and this can cause permanent marks on the teeth.

Fluoride, often called nature's cavity fighter, helps safely prevent tooth decay. The American Dental Association has endorsed fluoridation of community water and use of dental care products with fluoride for over 40 years. If your local water supply does not contain fluoride, ask your dentist how you and your family should get it.

Fluoride forms mineral crystals in the tooth enamel, which protects teeth from the acid produced by bacteria. Very simply, fluoride keeps the bacteria from being able to attach to teeth. Fluoride is present in the water supply of many communities. It also is found in foods such as tea, fish and vegetables. Many studies show that children who drink fluoridated water have fewer cavities than children who don't.

The addition of fluoride to your child's diet largely depends on his/her home care, how regular his/her dental recare appointments are and what his/her diet is like. Some of the food and drinks children consume contain fluoride and therefore if a child does not appear to be prone to cavities, a fluoride application at his/her dental office once every six months is all that is required.

One of the first signs of peridontal disease is "cat breath." A clean mouth shouldn't stink. Cats are prone to periodontal disease. Beginning a maintenance program early may prevent problems later in life. Research indicates that regular dental care may actually prolong your pet's life. Left unchecked, bacteria from the mouth can course through the cat's bloodstream, perhaps eventually affecting its heart or kidney.

Smoking is one of the worst things you can do to yourself. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you could ever do for your health, especially for teeth. It affects all phases of health, from the risk of cancer to reducing your ability to heal.

All common sugars, even those in fruits and starches, contribute to the development of tooth decay. It's worth noting that as soft drink consumption has increased over the past decade, tooth decay has decreased dramatically.Three factors help explain this. First, the widespread use of fluoride in drinking water, toothpastes and mouthwashes has greatly improved dental health, making teeth more resistant to acid attack from plaque bacteria.

The bacteria in plaque, loves to feed on the sugar we eat and produces what's known as 'plaque acid'. The more you eat or drink foods that contain sugar, the more the plaque acid attacks and then your teeth will suffer, through gum disease and/or tooth decay.

Fluoride is an element, which has been shown to be beneficial to teeth. However, too little or too much fluoride can be detrimental to the teeth. Little or no fluoride will not strengthen the teeth to help them resist cavities. Excessive fluoride ingestion can lead to dental fluorosis, which is a chalky white to even brown discoloration of the enamel. Fluoride when applied topically either as a gel, paste or rinse helps strengthen the teeth present in the mouth.

Overwhelming evidence by the American Dental Association, US Center for Disease Control, and World Health organization has demonstrated that Fluoride has been shown to dramatically decrease the chance of getting cavities. Many of our adult patients who grew up with regular dental care and fluoride supplementation have few or no dental problems. » Return to Top

Unfortunately, there is also a large amount of conjecture and opinion on the internet that has claimed that fluoride is dangerous. At therapeutic levels there has never been a published study that has been able show reliable repeatable results that demonstrate even a possibility of any harm. Many people find all of the negative opinions very confusing.