The Fluoride-Dental Caries Dilemma
Excess fluoride can cause more dental caries! Optimal levels of fluoride comsumed daily lowers the incidence of dental caries. Research has recently shown that fluoride levels above optimal levels can cause dental caries, and that Americans get more fluoride than is necessary. Fluorosis is an apparent symptom of ingesting too much fluoride on a regular basis over time. The teeth will appear discolored and have pitted surfaces. This problem has been studies in seven northern communities of Illinois. Study researchers have shown that increased fluoride intakes to certain levels reduces caries incidence, and then as fluoride levels further increase, the incidence of dental caries increase once again. The CDC has reported that forty eight percent of school-aged children have some form of dental fluorosis, with four percent being severe. It is interesting that the incidence of dental caries in children from Uganda is less than in U.S. children, even though they do not use fluoride dental products and do not brush their teeth. Also, children from Uganda drinking fluoridated water, have worse dental decay than those who do not drink fluoridated water. Americans consume fluoridated water, beverages and foods. They also use fluoridated toothpastes and other fluoridated products.
Diet may hold the key! The diets of Ugandans consist of complex carbohydrates, with 80% reporting no between-meal consumption of sugar. A study that included four hundred thousand children in Teotia, India, indicated that dental caries were the result of high fluoride levels and a low intake of dietary calcium.
So, why are dentists campaigning for calcium in drinking water? Is it because tod the toothpaste and other fluoride product manufacturers? Patients usually buy what their dentist suggested they buy. Dentists says that they see more tooth decay in soda drinking patients, but sodas and juices are made using fluoridated tap water. Dr. Carole Palmer says that dental decay progress in children who drink sweetened beverages and snacks after they use fluoridated toothpastes and mouthrinses. But, these cavities remineralized (i.e., partially reversed) when the snacks containing calcium, such as dairy products. Dr. Palmer, professor of nutrition and preventive dentistry at Tufts University, wonders why nutrition in dentistry is ignored. Fluoride hasn’t solved the dental caries crisis. Lack of nutrition-oral helath funding doesn’t help matters. Fluoride can’t fix a poor diet! Nutrition and dietary counseling are required!
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