Do adults benefit from flouride?

First let me be clear: I'm not a crazy conspiracy person (...on this) I just don't rely on a municipal well. As far as I know adding fluoride to the private well at my houses is not a thing, good or bad. I did drink municipal water for two years when I lived on campus in college.

That said, is fluoride a benefit to adults or just children?

When I was a kid I got fluoride treatments at the dentist, but then aged out. I've never had a cavity in forty years, but I'd like to keep it that way. Should I still be doing it?

Also no, I'm not using the internet as a substitute for a dentist, just my next dental appointment is in four months. TIA

jagungal ,

For a municipal supply it's worth the effort, it improves oral health for a whole community at the cost of some fluoride and a dosimeter. For a private supply it's not worth it. Fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash will give you a good dose of fluoride.

The_Tired_Horizon ,
@The_Tired_Horizon@lemmy.world avatar

Fluoride is great in toothpaste. Kills the germs and sterilises the gums.

I fought our Council to stop fluoride being added to our water here in Southampton in the UK about 10 years ago. I asked questions about whether gastrointestinal doctors had been consulted and what the effects were on the rest of the body, the bones etc. Nobody could answer. At the time I found that worrying. I am pro-vaccination, pro-science. I pointed out the severe lack of dentists that even kids dont any longer have access to at the time (it has since become far worse). Without actual dentists people lose the influence they provide as well as the treatment.

Chlorine chemistry is added to water to treat the water. Fluorine is added to treat the person. And to me that sounded like medication with no opt out (other than moving home). People should have a right to chose what they dont want to put in their bodies, even if it is technically slightly harmful in the long term (even nutrients). Science is learning that over sterilisation of other parts of the body (eg the skin) can affect the health. What we need is far, far more data on those that do have these water additions to see what happens to the populations health.

Lyrl ,

Fluoride does not kill or sterilize anything. It reacts with enamel (hydroxyapetate) to convert it to a stronger version (hydroxyfluorapatite).

People who want their enamel to be softer and wear through are welcome to drink bottled water.

The_Tired_Horizon ,
@The_Tired_Horizon@lemmy.world avatar

I am already paying for water - through my water bill. I have a right to as clear a water as possible. And fluoride is technically a sterilising agent - fluorine and chlorine are right next to each other in the periodic table.

mindlight ,

Swede here.
I'm a bit confused by the whole flouride thing in the US.

We don't add flouride in the water. At least not in amounts needed to get better tooth health.

Almost everyone users toothpaste with fluoride. The concentration is 1000ppm in toothpaste for children (below 6 years of age) and 1450ppm in toothpaste for children (6 years and older) and grown-ups.

We also used to have mandatory sessions with the "fluoride lady" in school. We all had to bring our toothbrush to school and got to dip it in a fluoride solution (mouthwash I presume) and brush our teeth while the fluoride lady pointed at a large scale model of teeth and gums. All kids were a little bit afraid of the fluoride ladies.
I'm not sure if it's still mandatory today, but I think a lot of schools (1st to 3rd grade maybe?) still has this on the schedule once a year.

Sweden has got a history of focus on tooth health since we have cheap healthcare (was free 50 years ago. Times are harder now so we pay $10-$13 per night at a hospital. Life is so hard! 😉) and bad tooth health is the cause of a lot of other health issues. Which in the end would cost our state medical insurance a lot more than fixing tooth health.

For the one with waaaaat too much time on their hands, Sweden has done some pretty dark shit in the name of "for the greater good". Google a documentary about the Vipeholm experiments if you want to know more about one of the reasons to how the world knows so much about tooth decay.

Loki ,

There's a Sawbones episode on fluoride and its effects on teeth (and why it's good for you), if you like to be educated and entertained at the same time, I highly recommend listening to it! Great podcast.

And yes, fluoride is good for adult teeth, too.

corsicanguppy ,

This is the wrong question.

You should be asking, "While flouride helps other people, does it hurt me or is it all-good?"

Because, really, that's the only part that matters.

pb42184 OP ,

Not really. Since it isn't in my well no matter what I do, the effects of fluoride in water aren't relevant to my question.

But the consensus in the comments is that fluoride in my toothpaste and maybe mouthwash is sufficient, and having fluoride treatments as a child but not as an adult makes sense.

feedum_sneedson ,

Do you even know how much fluoride is in your water? Sometimes it's naturally high, that's how they figured out it was good for your teeth.

pb42184 OP ,

I don't have the ppm memorized, but it was like tenth percentile

hperrin ,

Yes, the benefit doesn’t vary by age. Flouridated water prevents cavities throughout your life.

pb42184 OP ,

Thanks

Fluoridated water just isn't an option for me but I can ask my dentist about options beyond fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash.

ShellMonkey ,
@ShellMonkey@lemmy.socdojo.com avatar

Chances are unless you're actively trying to avoid it the toothpaste you use has it already. I'm not aware of any particular benefits or detriments to having it in the water supply versus the more direct application route.

pb42184 OP ,

Yes I make sure mine does

Pilferjinx ,

Think poor and homeless. It's to catch the ones that fall through the cracks. It's not much, but it's something.

ShellMonkey ,
@ShellMonkey@lemmy.socdojo.com avatar

Fair point, useful for the city but not missing out on anything by having a private well then though.

guyrocket ,
@guyrocket@kbin.social avatar

I'm about to install a reverse osmosis water filter because I want less PFOS (and other crap) in me. I understand this will also get rid of most of the fluoride.

I assume we'll be fine because we brush or use fluoride mouthwash daily. But I'd like to hear if anyone thinks otherwise. I'm not opposed to fluoride in water, just wondering how much downside there is to not having it in my water when we do use fluoride otherwise.

rbesfe ,

Unless you live next to a PTFE manufacturing plant, you are not at risk of PFOS exposure.

tarmarbar , (edited )

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/8/2885

Edit: since when is sharing scientific knowledge a reason for downvoting? It's not relevant??

Alice ,
@Alice@hilariouschaos.com avatar

ass

pb42184 OP ,

No I was mostly thinking of oral intake

Alice ,
@Alice@hilariouschaos.com avatar

🤣

johny_joe_1975 ,

Yes, keep using toothpaste with flouride.

I tried toothpaste without flouride. It hurt my teeth after weeks (i.e: i also heavy drinking sweet drink like pepsi and snack at night, At night, I brush my teeth always before sleep or after snack.).

johny_joe_1975 ,

I have never have a flouride treatment. I don't know what is it until you mention.

Bizarroland ,
@Bizarroland@kbin.social avatar

Next time you get your teeth cleaned at the dentist, which you should be doing every 6 months or so, ask them to give you a fluoride treatment. They literally just brush this minty sweet stuff onto your teeth and let it sit for 5 or 10 minutes.

The fluoride will leech into your teeth and help reinforce any weak spots to decrease the likelihood of developing cavities.

I mean, if you're a conspiracy theorist then in theory it will calcify your third eye as well, but I have no way of verifying that claim, or even proving that the third eye exists other than the pineal gland in your brain, and I've never heard of anyone's pineal gland being calcified.

Vanth ,
@Vanth@reddthat.com avatar

In addition to calcifying your third eye, also be wary of those darn women trying to steal your fluoridated, erm, essence.

Do you realize that in addition to fluoridating water, why, there are studies underway to fluoridate salt, flour, fruit juices, soup, sugar, milk, ice cream? Ice cream, Mandrake? Children's ice cream!...You know when fluoridation began?...1946. 1946, Mandrake. How does that coincide with your post-war Commie conspiracy, huh? It's incredibly obvious, isn't it? A foreign substance is introduced into our precious bodily fluids without the knowledge of the individual, and certainly without any choice. That's the way your hard-core Commie works. I first became aware of it, Mandrake, during the physical act of love... Yes, a profound sense of fatigue, a feeling of emptiness followed. Luckily I - I was able to interpret these feelings correctly. Loss of essence. I can assure you it has not recurred, Mandrake. Women, er, women sense my power, and they seek the life essence. I do not avoid women, Mandrake...but I do deny them my essence.

  • Ripper, in the film Dr. Strangleove
thisisdee ,

Ah so fluoride treatment is what I thought it was. Here in Australia we still get it with every teeth cleaning. Granted dental is an add on with private insurance so not everyone has access to it I believe.

Habahnow ,

I did as well. Same symptoms and on my next dentist visit, the dentist had noticed my sensitivity. Back to flouride tooth paste.
I switched mainly because I wanted a tooth paste that was in a refillable container or used less plastic. Alas, I have to pick my health as a priority over helping the environment.

stoly ,

I went for years without fluoride. I preferred the flavor and how my mouth felt with the more “natural” ones. Now I switch back and forth, but still avoid Colgate, crest, etc.

bolexforsoup , (edited )

sadfsdfasfasf

pb42184 OP ,

Wow, that does sound political!

Again, I'm not at all talking about additives to municipal water. That's clearly good. Just since my houses don't have it I'm curious if there's a missed opportunity for better.

Seems like "yes but small" given already using fluoridated toothpaste

Cort ,

You can always add a fluoride mouthwash to your routine if you're worried.

bolexforsoup , (edited )

sadfsdfasfasf

Cybermonk_Taiji ,

Have you ever seen Dr Strangelove?

This is by no means a new form of stupidity.

bolexforsoup , (edited )

dsfgasfsaf

Silentiea ,
@Silentiea@lemmy.blahaj.zone avatar

You mean How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb?

Ephera , (edited )

Here in Germany, fluoride is mandated by law recommended to be added to table salt, so I assume it is good to have in general.

However, regular toothpaste as well as many mouthwashes contain fluoride. In particular, they can contain a much higher dosis, because you spit it back out, so if you're worried about your teeth, these are definitely the way to go.

leds ,

Here in Germany, fluoride is mandated by law to be added to table salt, so I assume it is good to have in general.

Isn't that iodine?

Toine ,

Both exists, and salt can have both. Fluor in the salt is quite specific to Germany and a few other countries though.

leds ,

Interesting! Thanks

Ephera ,

Hmm, yeah, seems like only iodine is actually mandated by law. My table salt does have fluoride, but apparently that's an optional add-on.

I believe, I rarely see salt without fluoride in the shops, but that could be a regional thing (other regions might have more fluoride naturally in their tap water).

mlc894 ,

Very interesting! I’ve never heard of adding fluoride to table salt, but I can’t see why not!

Ephera ,

You can also find table salt with folic acid (vitamin B9) here, and apparently sometimes also with selenium.

And yeah, quite interesting to me, too, to read up on this. I always thought, table salt is NaCl + the legally mandated additives. I guess, they do throw in these additives to give themselves a unique selling point.
And that works for me. Will look out for table salt with iodine, fluoride and folic acid on my next shop visit.

CaptainSpaceman ,

https://lemmy.world/post/15159248

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