The main fluoride chemical added to water (hydrofluorosilicic acid) is an industrial by-product from the phosphate fertilizer industry. Unlike the fluoride used in toothpaste, hydrofluorosilicic acid is not pharmaceutical-grade quality. It is an unpurified, industrial-grade, corrosive acid which has been linked, in several recent studies, to increased levels of lead in children’s blood. Like arsenic and lead, very small amounts of fluoride can be found in most water supplies.

No. As pointed out by a growing number of dental researchers, fluoride supplements are unnecessary, ineffective, and much more likely to give your child dental fluorosis than to spare them a cavity. Fluoride Supplements are Unnecessary: A vast body of dental research now indicates that there is no need to swallow fluoride at all - whether at a young or old age. This is because fluoride's purported 'benefit' to teeth comes primarily from topical application, and not from ingestion. See similar questions...

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

Fluoride works by making the outer layer of teeth (called tooth enamel) stronger. When the outer layer is strong, teeth are less likely to get cavities. See similar questions...

The Wayback Machine is named in reference to the famous Mr. Peabody's WABAC (pronounced way-back) machine from the Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon show. See similar questions...

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. See similar questions...

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 See similar questions...

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. See similar questions...

Fluoride can help strengthen baby teeth before they come through the gums by building fluoride into their structure. The main effect is when teeth erupt through the gums. If fluoride is present in saliva, teeth will continually be exposed to small levels of fluoride, which helps strengthen the tooth surface. Fluoridated water is the best way to achieve this. See similar questions...

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. See similar questions...

Common sources of fluoride for people include food and drink, toothpaste and fluoride supplements such as tablets. Some countries use fluoridated salt, others fluoridated milk. The World Health Organization says fluoridated water is the most effective and safest way of providing the benefits of fluoride. See similar questions...

No. A balanced diet does not guarantee the proper amount of fluoride for the development and maintenance of your child's teeth. If you do not live in a fluoridated community or have an ideal amount of naturally occurring fluoride in your well water, your child needs a fluoride supplement during the years of tooth development. See similar questions...

Tooth decay is an infectious and transmissible bacterial disease. When a person eats sugar, or other refined carbohydrates, some oral bacteria produce acid that removes minerals from the surface of the tooth, a process that is known as demineralization. If the demineralization process continues for a period of time, a cavity is formed. If fluoride is available, the demineralization process can be reversed, thereby preventing the cavity. See similar questions...