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Fluoride is a common ingredient found in toothpaste and mouthwash and its effects have been debated for decades. Especially now, in the age of information overload, it can be hard to sieve facts from false data. 

To make your job easier, our team at Grace Dental in Sugar Land, Texas, has put together this blog post to help debunk the most popular fluoride myths. Read on to learn all about them. 

• Fluoride Concentration in Water Protects Your Teeth

Fluoride can help protect teeth from decay or damage. That’s why dentists recommend toothpaste and mouthwash containing fluoride and fluoride is commonly added to city water supplies. 

• Fluoride Can Cause Fluorosis

Excessive intake of fluoride over a long period of time can cause fluorosis. However, common products such as toothpaste and mouthwash contain moderate amounts of fluoride that present no health risk. Thus, you can enjoy the health benefits of fluoride without worrying about adverse effects.

• Children Should Not Consume Fluoride

Children can safely use fluoride toothpaste. Moreover, using it from early years can help strengthen their teeth and prevent tooth decay in the future. However, it is not recommended that they ingest it. Moderation is key when kids use fluoride products and young children should only do this under adult supervision.

• Fluoride Usage Can Cause Tooth Damage 

Many people believe that fluoride damages teeth rather than protecting them. This fear is rooted in the fact that overconsumption of fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis. However, most cases of fluorosis reported in the US are mild and only result in superficial defects like white spots while fluoride used in the recommended proportions can strengthen enamel and prevent tooth decay. 

• Fluoride Usage Leads to Health Problems

There is no data to support the claim that fluoride consumption leads to medical problems like cancer, diabetes, etc. On the contrary, leading health organizations and practitioners have endorsed the usage of fluoride for its health benefits. Moreover, the American Academy of Family Physicians supports the fact that fluoride is both safe and effective.

• Fluoride Usage Can Lead to Low IQ

No study or research conducted in the US has concluded that fluoride is the cause of lower IQ in children. In addition, international studies making this claim are based on data on fluoride consumption in much higher quantities than what is generally found in the US water and dental hygiene products. 

If you have any questions or concerns about common ingredients found in oral hygiene products or want to address your oral health issues, don’t hesitate to contact our experts at Grace Dental in Sugar Land, Texas, by calling (281) 340-1333.