Fluoride, the ionic form of fluorine, is actually embedded in our daily life either intentionally or naturally through fluoridated water, foods, beverages, or dental products. However, the majority of people often hear the term ‘fluoride’ only from the dentist since it is best known for preventing tooth decay and strengthening the teeth.
Author: Sara Park Editor: Haryeong Eo, Yunjin Jung
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride, the ionic form of fluorine, is actually embedded in our daily life either intentionally or naturally through fluoridated water, foods, beverages, or dental products. However, the majority of people often hear the term ‘fluoride’ only from the dentist since it is best known for preventing tooth decay and strengthening the teeth.
Myth #1
Fluoride is toxic for children.
Facts
Although consuming excess fluoride may be harmful, fluoride found in daily products or water are usually kept at the right amount to boost our dental health. It is not toxic but rather beneficial, especially for children. For instance, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) even recommend fluoridated toothpaste and fluoride varnish to all children following their tooth eruption in order to prevent the development of cavities or tooth decay later in adulthood (Preventive Oral Health Intervention for Pediatricians, 2008). A study from the University of Queensland School of Dentistry also found that fluoridated water reduced the risk of tooth decay and missing teeth by 54 percent (Study shows benefits of fluoride to children, 2015). These two credible pieces of evidence both evince the benefits of fluoride when used by children.
Myth #2
Some European countries even banned the water fluoridation due to the risks of consuming fluoride.
Facts
This statement is entirely misleading. Some European countries may have rejected the water fluoridation which is the process of adding and adjusting fluoride in the public water, however, those countries still adopted the salt or milk fluoridation, the controlled addition of fluoride in salt or milk. In fact, salt fluoridation is utilized in France, Germany, Switzerland, and other main parts of Europe. The usage of water fluoridation is also more likely to be limited due to geographical, financial, or technical reasons than to be restricted due to the danger of fluoridation. For example, Basel had to switch from water fluoridation to salt fluoridation due to technical and practical issues (Fluoridation Facts, 2018). The extensive use of fluoridation in European countries as well as the various limitations to water fluoridation indicates how fluoridation is not a threat but an essential tool to enhance public health.
Myth #3
Fluoridation should be considered as forced medication.
Facts
When researched online, fluoride is defined as a mineral that is naturally found in foods, soil, and water even without fluoridation (Fluoride, 2021). According to ADA, fluoride is considered a significant nutrient for oral health, not a medication (Fluoridation Facts, 2018). While some medications such as voriconazole contain fluoride, fluoride itself is hardly a medication. Moreover, fluoridation is analogous to food fortification like the addition of vitamin D in milk and iodine in salt which all positively impacted public health in the past. These examples all contradict the claim that fluoride is a medication, showing how it should be viewed as a mineral and a nutrient that is beneficial to our dental health.
Myth #4
Fluoridated water causes osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer.
Facts
Countless epidemiological studies have clearly proved and concluded there was no association between fluoride and osteosarcoma. Based on Health Victoria, these studies include the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council case study, York Review (2000), a study by Hoover et al., 2011 Harvard study, and dozens of others (Fluoride and osteosarcoma, 2021). The absence of association is also evident through the rare occurrence of osteosarcoma in the U.S. over the last century where fluoride exposure was prevalent through water fluoridation (Fluoride bone cancer research summary, 2016). With these clear pieces of evidence, it is easy to see that osteosarcoma is not caused by fluoride. The only proven toxicity from excess consumption of fluoride is dental fluorosis.
Conclusion
As the recent opposition of fluoridation increases through the misinformation on the internet, the myths about the risks of fluoride are becoming pervasive in our world like the COVID-19 vaccine myths. These misconceptions can lead to numerous opponents disrupting implementation of fluoridation or avoiding fluoride in general. However, fluoridation and other usage of fluoride are already proven to be crucial for preventing cavities and developing healthy teeth. Hence, it is important to spread these accurate facts about fluoride to promote utilizing fluoridation and foster public oral health.
References
Aoun, A., Darwiche, F., Al Hayek, S., & Doumit, J. (2018). The Fluoride Debate: The Pros and Cons of Fluoridation. Preventive nutrition and food science, 23(3), 171–180. https://doi.org/10.3746/pnf.2018.23.3.171
Australia, V. (2021). Fluoride and osteosarcoma. Vic.gov.au. https://www.health.vic.gov.au/water/fluoride-and-osteosarcoma
Fluoridation Facts page 103. (n.d.). Ebooks.ada.org. Retrieved April 3, 2022, from https://ebooks.ada.org/fluoridationfacts/103
Fluoride bone cancer research summary. (2016). Fluoride Science. Retrieved April 3, 2022, from https://fluorideexposed.org/fluoridescience/fluoride-bone-cancer-osteosarcoma
Office of Dietary Supplements - Fluoride. (2021, March 29). National Institutes of Health. Retrieved March 26, 2022, from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Fluoride-HealthProfessional/
Preventive Oral Health Intervention for Pediatricians. (2008). American Academy of Pediatrics, 122(6), 1387–1394. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2008-2577
[Picture]. (2017). PxHere. Retrieved from https://pxhere.com/en/photo/496715?utm_content=shareClip&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pxhere
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