This is always an interesting topic to discuss with our patients due to the large role fluoride has in protecting and, in many cases, saving our teeth from tooth decay and eventual tooth loss. In saying this, we respect our patients' decisions and opinions on what products and treatments they wish to receive; however, as professionals we are always guided by science and the data. It's our responsibility as dentists to advise and offer treatment based on our education, experience and expertise.  

Below is information collected from two articles posted on the Australian Dental Association website regarding the topic. You will notice hyperlinks throughout the articles linking you to further information. If you’d like to know more please chat with your dentists at your appointment and please bring in any information or articles you've come across. We're always happy to discuss. 

Enjoy...

All natural and effective

Fluoride is not an artificial compound or some sort of medication, but rather a naturally-occurring mineral that’s found in rocks and soil, vegetables and grains, as well as in fresh and saltwater. The fluoride found in the environment however is not sufficient on its own to protect your teeth, which is why small supplemental amounts are added to the water supply, as well as into toothpaste, gels and other dental products. 

Protecting your teeth

Fluoride is crucial to combatting tooth decay. It gives your teeth extra strength when they’re developing so they’re better able to resist the bacterial acid that causes tooth decay and it slows the growth of bacteria in your mouth known as plaque which leads to tooth decay.

While brushing with fluoridated toothpaste is the most effective way to receive fluoride, taking it through tap water has a considerable effect on the ability of your teeth to fight decay. If you need a fluoride top-up, and most people in fluoridated areas won’t, your dentist can apply high-fluoride products such as gels, foams and varnishes to your teeth.

Your dentist may also suggest the use of fluoride supplements, particularly in areas where water fluoridation isn’t practised. 

It’s in the water

Fluoride has been added to water supplies in many Australian towns and cities since the mid-1960s and is often hailed as one of the great public health achievements of the last century. It has proven so effective at reducing tooth decay among children and adults that health and dental organisations around the world such as the Centers for Disease Control, and the Australian Medical Association strongly back its use. 

It’s good for you

Fluoride consumption has been scientifically-proven to be of extensive benefit to consumers, with negligible adverse reactions. While “dental fluorosis”, small flecks which appear on tooth enamel, can result from ingesting too much fluoride, it’s rarely visible, and does not damage teeth and usually only results when young children are exposed to large amounts of adult strength fluoride toothpaste.

Overall, the benefits of fluoride are considerable. It remains the most cost-effective, fair and naturally-occurring way to keep your teeth healthy. And remember, to make the most of the advantages it affords you, you need to brush twice a day, maintain a healthy, balanced diet, and visit your friendly dentist on a regular basis.

Fluoride has proven itself to be a valuable ally in the ongoing fight against dental caries.

As far back as 1909, when a U.S. dentist Frederick McKay commenced a 15 year study with fellow dentist A. V. Black to determine if the decay-resistant teeth of residents in one Colorado town were the result of fluoride in the water, the naturally-occurring mineral has demonstrated its efficacy in inhibiting the incidence of dental decay.

While fluoride can be applied in a number of ways such as topically through toothpaste, and the in-practice application of gels, rinses, foams and varnishes, it is water fluoridation that has attracted the most attention.

Water fluoridation

Hailed as one of the great public health achievements of the 20th century, water fluoridation has been responsible for a dramatic reduction in dental decay among the general population since its initial introduction into US water supplies in 1945, and in Australia at Beaconsfield, Tasmania in 1953.

Available in Australia on a widespread basis since the mid-1960s, fluoride is added at 0.6-1 mg per litre depending on the state, falling within the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommended fluoridation range of 0.6-1.1mg per litre.

The availability of water fluoridation throughout the country is reasonably consistent, with most states providing fluoridation to around 90% of their population. The practice has been spurred on by the National Oral Health Plans, with the 2015-24 edition continuing to strongly endorse the addition of fluoride to water supplies.

Water fluoridation is supported by a wide range of organisations including the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, NHMRC, the Australian Dental Association and the Australian Medical Association, and all federal, state and territory governments.

With long-demonstrated negligible adverse reactions, fluoridated water has proven to be the most equitable way of providing protection against decay to the Australian community.

Myths and fallacies

There is however a virulent, loud minority who decry the benefits of fluoridation, despite its effectiveness being corroborated by many scientifically-backed studies over five decades or so.

Drawing on selective data from studies of questionable scientific rigour such as 2012 study linking low IQ in Chinese children to high fluoride levels, they routinely use inconclusive evidence to make definitive statements on the alleged health implications of fluoride ingestion. While these tactics make for good attention-grabbing headlines, they are make use of erroneous facts, and don’t address public health issues such as the overall costs of untreated tooth decay.

The ADA has long argued that responsibility for whether a community is fluoridated or not should not rest with local government but with state governments, who are better equipped to evaluate the well-established use of fluoride in bolstering community oral health.