Since the 1945 communities have been adding fluoride to water supplies. At first, the purpose was to improve general public health by treating water to help strengthen teeth. Now, however, modern research shows fluoride treatments can pose serious dental risks. Overuse of fluoride may cause hidden caries, illusive areas of plaque that may cause major dental problems.
Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann:
Like most technological advances, fluoridated water treatments were first implemented to improve the general health of the community. In those days, fluroride was recognized as a beneficial chemical that could strengthen the enamel of a tooth. The theory was simple and straight forward: if you strengthen the enamel of the tooth, you make the tooth less susceptible to plaque and bacteria.
Soon, other companies began to capitalize on this notion. Toothpaste companies and general dentists alike begin incorporating fluoride in toothpaste and dental cleanings, respectively. Today, Aquafresh even offers a new toothpaste deemed “revolutionary” for its ability to send fluoride gel in between teeth, providing deep cleaning. With significant amounts of fluoride in public water, consumer products, and dental cleaning procedures, one may wonder if we are suffering from too much of a good thing.
Too Much Fluoride?
If a little fluoride strengthens teeth, then a lot really strengthens teeth, right? Wrong.
Fluoride has the ability to strengthen teeth to an unnatural extreme. When this happens, several things may result including hidden caries and increased rate of gum infection.
Hidden Caries
Hidden caries are areas of plaque or bacteria infection that are usually undetectable with the naked eye. These areas propegate deep within the grooves and pits of teeth, most commonly among the molars. Hidden caries are thought to be caused by unnaturally tough, impenetrable tooth enamel. The pits of teeth are inevitably weaker than the sides and surface, both because of reduced exposure to fluoride and regular cleanings. As a result, these deep, hard to reach areas are infected because of their weakness relative to the rest of the tooth. Plaque (get more from AS)
Assure a Smile is well educated and attuned to the problems that excessive fluoride exposure may cause. The Diagnodent Laser, for example, uses laser technology to detect hidden caries and other infections that may be caused by fluoride overload. Patients may seek to limit their exposure to fluoride in the following ways: filter tap water to remove fluoride, avoid fluoride enriched toothpaste, avoid regularly rinsing with fluoride mouth rinse, and seek a dentist in Miami who understands the risks associated with fluoride and treats patients accordingly.
