Fluoride & Fluoridation in Dentistry

One of the ten most important public health measures of the 20th century

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Conclusion — Fluoride in Perspective

Not convinced? Think of it this way. In 2006, Americans made about 500 million visits to dentists, and an estimated $94 billion was spent on dental services. Yet many children and adults still go without measures that have been proven effective in preventing oral diseases and reducing dental care costs. For example, over 100 million Americans still do not have access to water that contains enough fluoride to protect their teeth, even though the per capita cost of water fluoridation over a person's lifetime is less than the cost of one dental filling (CDC).

Early research was concerned with fluoride both naturally occurring and added to water supplies and its effects on the prevalence and incidence of dental decay and dental fluorosis. Over half a century later the focus of research is on fluoride toothpastes and rinses. Extensive systematic reviews of the evidence conclusively show that water fluoridation and fluoride toothpastes both substantially reduce dental decay. Additionally they are cost-effective and for the most part socially acceptable.

The over use of fluoride during the first six to eight years of life represents the important period of tooth development when enamel fluorosis can occur. It is critical for parents to monitor fluoride sources to reduce the occurrence of white spots from fluorosis while preventing early tooth decay.

The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to emphasize the importance of public health approaches to the effective use of fluorides for the prevention of tooth decay in the 21st century. Everyone should brush daily with fluoride toothpaste. Where the incidence and prevalence of decay is moderate to high and increasing, water fluoridation is the method of choice.