You may have heard some buzz lately about fluoride being removed from drinking water in parts of the country, including Florida. While this might not sound like a big deal, the truth is that it could have serious effects on your family’s dental health, especially for kids.
At Lake Baldwin Dental, we believe in giving families the tools they need to make informed choices. And when it comes to fluoride, we want to help you understand what’s happening, why it matters, and how you can help protect your family’s smiles even if fluoride is no longer going to be part of your local water supply.
What Is Community Water Fluoridation and Why Does It Matter?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that’s in groundwater in many areas of the country. In fact, that’s how scientists first figured out fluoride is good for our teeth! They observed that people in areas with high levels of fluoride in their groundwater had stronger teeth and got fewer cavities. More than 100 years since that discovery, fluoride has become one of the most intensely studied minerals in the world.
Community water fluoridation projects have brought that same tooth-protecting benefit to areas without fluoride in their groundwater since 1945. This has widely been celebrated as one of the most significant public health accomplishments of the 20th century.
How Does Fluoride Protect Teeth?
Fluoride plugs in gaps in the mineral matrix of your enamel, replacing minerals that have been stripped by acids from food and bacteria. Think of it like a universal Lego piece that can strengthen and stabilize a tower where someone has been stealing pieces.
It effectively makes the enamel harder, more durable, and far more resistant to decay. It’s been repeatedly shown to be safe and effective at the right levels. Community water fluoridation is supported by 92% of dentists and a long list of health organizations including the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, US Public Health Service, World Health Organization, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So why did Governor DeSantis decide to ban it in Florida?
Why Is Florida Removing Fluoride from Tap Water?
Unfortunately, many studies about fluoride have been misinterpreted and misused to create a lot of fear and doubt about its safety. The primary study the Florida Department of Health is using to justify the move is a great example.
Misinterpreted Conclusions About Fluoride and Children’s IQ
The study appeared to show that fluoride could negatively affect IQ scores. However, experts in community water fluoridation have found the study to be deeply flawed. Even if it weren’t, the study itself admits it was conducted with limited data. The researchers themselves expressed uncertainty about their conclusions and have released clarifying statements for their report.
No Evidence of Danger
Dr. Steven Levy, an international expert on fluoride intake, and member of the ADA National Fluoridation Advisory Committee, had this to say: “While I have serious concerns about biases and other methodological flaws in this meta-analysis, the main takeaway is that it did not find any connection between lower IQ and fluoride intake at the level recommended for community water fluoridation.”
In the study, any potential negative impact only appeared in areas with naturally-occurring fluoride in groundwater, with dosages several times the recommendation and what’s actually used in regulated community water fluoridation. If anything, the study only reinforced our evidence-based knowledge of safe dosages for fluoride.
Unfortunately, the damage has been done, and Florida is set to end community water fluoridation on June 30th. So, what can we expect as a result?
What Happens When Fluoride Gets Removed?
Unfortunately, we don’t have to guess what will happen. Repeated research shows that when fluoride is taken out of public water, the number of cavities goes up, especially in children.
A recent national study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association predicts:
- A 7.5% increase in cavities in kids within 5 years
- Nearly $10 billion in extra dental healthcare costs across the country
- The most serious impacts on families without private dental insurance, and those who live in rural and underserved areas
We’re already seeing this happen in other parts of the world. In Canada, some cities that removed fluoride from their tap water are now reversing that decision because of the rapid rise in childhood tooth decay. Pediatric dentists there report more aggressive cavities and 78% increase in children needing general anesthesia just to get their teeth fixed. Unlike safe water fluoridation, general anesthesia can carry serious health risks for children.
The bottom line? Removing fluoride can set families up for more dental problems, higher costs, more health risks, and a lot more stress.
With fluoride coming out of the water, it means each of us needs to really step up and compensate for the lack of it in other ways. Here’s what you can do to keep your family’s oral health safe.
What You Can Do to Protect Your Family’s Teeth
Even if our water no longer contains fluoride, there are still plenty of ways to protect your family’s oral health. Here are some of our top tips:
1. Make Home Care a Daily Priority
Consistent brushing and flossing go a long way.
- Help kids brush twice a day for two minutes using fluoride toothpaste.
- For younger children who aren’t great about spitting, use a rice-sized amount. For older kids and adults, a pea-sized amount works best.
- Don’t forget to floss daily, especially before bed.
- Consider getting electric toothbrushes and water flossers to make your routine extra effective.
Getting high-quality fluoride on your teeth every day is more important now than ever. We can provide prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste and mouthrinse to help keep your family’s teeth strong and avoid unnecessary discomfort and expense for dental treatments.
You don’t need an appointment to buy them, just come to our Baldwin Park dental office during regular hours!
2. Watch What You Sip and Snack
Sugary drinks (including juice, soda, and sweet tea), sports drinks, and frequent snacking can weaken enamel and increase cavity risk. Try to:
- Limit sweet drinks to mealtimes
- Avoid sipping on sports drinks, sodas, or any sweet or acidic drink throughout the day
- Try to eat snacks in one sitting rather than little by little
- Keep water available throughout the day
- Rinse well with water or chew sugar-free gum after snacks and meals
- Try to incorporate more tooth-friendly snacks like cheese, nuts, and crunchy veggies
The more often your teeth are exposed to sugars and acids, the more opportunity bacteria have to cause damage.
3. Ask Us About Fluoride Boosters
Even if you’re not getting fluoride from your water, there are still ways to get its protective benefits:
- In-office fluoride varnish treatments after every dental cleaning can give your teeth a significant mineral supplement that lasts for several months.
- Prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste for a daily boost.
- CariFree® rinse: These products contain a higher level of fluoride and other minerals to help strengthen enamel and balance the pH in your mouth.
- Fluoride gel which you can wear in trays if you’re at very high risk for cavities.
Not sure what you need? Ask us! We’ll recommend the best option based on your family’s risk level and oral health needs.
4. Stay On Top of Dental Visits
Preventive care is more important than ever. Regular check-ups (usually every 6 months) help us catch problems early and keep small issues from becoming big ones. Kids should start visiting the dentist early to prevent issues and help them feel comfortable in the dental office.
At Lake Baldwin Dental, we love seeing kids of all ages and helping them feel safe and confident in the dental chair!
5. Consider Nursery Water
If you have young kids, you may want to consider nursery water, which contains a healthy amount of fluoride, to replace what they’ll be missing in tap water. For the time being, you may also be able to get prescription fluoride drops or tablets for high-risk kids, although the FDA is now considering removing them from the market despite an abundance of evidence supporting their safety and efficacy.
Let’s Work Together to Keep Your Family Smiling!
Even if fluoride disappears from the water, it doesn’t have to disappear from your life. At Lake Baldwin Dental, we’re here to help you build strong habits, use the best tools, and make the right choices for long-term oral health.
Whether you need cavity prevention advice, fluoride alternatives, or just a caring team that loves kids and families, you’ll find it all right here in our Baldwin Park family dental office.
Get in touch with our team to schedule a visit or ask about fluoride products like prescription toothpaste and CariFree. Together, we’ll help protect your family’s smiles, Orlando, now and for the future!
