National Fluoride Day was celebrated on January 25, the tenth anniversary of its first annual observance, as a day to highlight the importance and benefits of fluoride to oral hygiene. Fluoride strengthens the hard outer surface of our teeth and can even help reverse the early signs of tooth decay.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral released from rocks into the soil, water and air but usually not in high enough levels to prevent tooth decay, so it can be added to drinking water to reduce cavities. More than 200 million Americans receive drinking water from a community water system to which fluoride has been added. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that 75% of a person’s fluoride intake comes from drinking water with added fluoride. Water fluoridation has so effectively reduced tooth decay that the CDC named it as one of the ten great public health achievements of the 20th century!
While water fluoridation reduces tooth decay, it doesn’t eliminate the need for other fluoride applications. Adults and children at high risk for cavities may have their dentist apply fluoride directly to their teeth with a gel, foam, varnish or rinse; or their dentist may prescribe a tablet, drop or lozenge that acts as a fluoride supplement. Typically, this is done for children who could benefit from additional fluoride, either because they are at higher risk of cavities or because they don’t have access to fluoridated water. Remember that if we administer your dental benefits, you and your covered family members can have their risks assessed through our Health through Oral Wellness® (HOW®) program Health through Oral Wellness.
As part of a daily home oral health regime, fluoride is an effective way to prevent cavities and care for our teeth. Using a fluoride toothpaste and getting fluoride from other sources can help rebuild any weakened areas of tooth enamel, making teeth more resistant to cavity-causing acids.
Make brushing your teeth twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste part of your self-care routine. All toothpastes that have earned the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance contain fluoride, and 95% of the toothpaste sold in the U.S. contains fluoride.
It’s important to supervise children as they brush their teeth to make sure they use the right amount of toothpaste and to limit the amount swallowed. Too much fluoride can be harmful to children and increases the risk of mild tooth discoloration if it is overused. For ages three and under, use an amount of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice; and, for ages three and up, use a small pea-sized amount.
If you use mouthwash, you can find options that include fluoride. It’s not recommended for children under the age of six to use mouthwash without approval from your dentist.
If you don’t benefit from a fluoridated community water supply, you can have your well tested to determine your water’s fluoride level and discuss findings with your dentist. The Vermont Department of Health offers a Community Water Fluoridation Fact Sheet and information on free well water testing at Fluoride | Vermont Department of Health (healthvermont.gov).
