Falls Family Dental Blog

Hundreds of studies have been conducted on fluoride, fluoridation, and tooth decay. Few topics have been examined more closely. The overwhelming weight of the evidence shows that fluoridated water reduces the rate of tooth decay.

By 1980, fluoride toothpaste had grown to reach 90 percent of the market. Given the widespread use of fluoride toothpaste today, is fluoridated water still necessary? The answer is yes. Consider the solid evidence from research that has been conducted since fluoride toothpaste became widely used. Here is a sample of the many studies showing fluoridated water continues to protect against decay:

toothbrush

A New York study (2010) revealed that low-income children in less fluoridated counties needed 33 percent more fillings, root canals, and extractions than those in counties where fluoridated water was common.

A study of Alaska children (2011) showed that kids living in non-fluoridated areas had a 32 percent higher rate of decayed, missing or filled teeth than kids in fluoridated communities.

A Nevada study (2010) examined teenagers’ oral health and found that living in a community without fluoridated water was one of the top three factors associated with high rates of decay and other dental problems.

A study of communities in Illinois and Nebraska (1998) found that the tooth decay rate among children in the fluoridated town was 45 percent lower than the rate among kids in the non-fluoridated communities. This benefit occurred even though more than 94 percent of children in all of these communities were using fluoridated toothpaste.

Fluoridation remains critically important to combat tooth decay. Although the nation’s oral health has improved overall during the past 50 years, tooth decay is still the most common chronic childhood disease, 5 times more common than asthma. Tooth decay affects more than 80 percent of Americans by the time they begin their adult years.

Brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice each day is important. So is seeing a dentist regularly. Many Americans put off appointments because they lack dental insurance and feel they cannot afford the costs. At a time when more than 100 million Americans lack dental insurance, fluoridation offers an easy, inexpensive preventive strategy from which everyone benefits simply by turning on their tap.

Anti-fluoride activists try to present water fluoridation as an old, unnecessary health practice. The armed forces is constantly looking ahead and embracing new approaches. Yet the U.S. military recognizes the continued need for fluoridated water. In fact, a senior Defense Department official called tooth decay “a major problem for military personnel” and notes that fluoridation will “directly reduce their risk for dental decay and improve [military] readiness.” Many military bases have provided fluoridated water to their personnel for decades.

So there you have it. When it was first implemented in Michigan back in 1945, fluoridated water was a smart idea — and it still is.

It’s no secret there exists a strong link between soda consumption and tooth decay. Heavy soda consumption has also been linked to other health complications including diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis.

During the past generation, milk intakes have decreased while soda pop and 100 percent juice intakes have increased. It has become a daily habit for a growing number of people, especially kids, teens, and young adults. A steady consumption of soft drinks is one of the leading causes of tooth decay.

However, measures can be taken to prevent and reduce tooth decay. The conclusions of a recent study support contemporary daily dietary guidelines for children that include:

• Consuming two or more servings of dairy foods
• Limiting the intake of 100 percent juice to four to six ounces
• Restricting other sugared beverages to occasional use

This doesn’t mean a person should never drink soda. In fact, drinking it in moderation may represent no harm at all. However, substituting sugary, acidic carbonated beverages for water or intake of caloric food could be problematic in the long run.

How soda attacks your teeth

The “Sip All Day, Get Decay” slogan isn’t just meant to be a catchy tagline – it’s literally the truth!

Sugar in soda combines with bacteria in your mouth to form acid, which attacks the teeth. Diet or “sugar-free” soda contains its own acid, which also can damage teeth. Each attack lasts about 20 minutes and starts over with every sip of soda you take.

These ongoing acid attacks weaken tooth enamel. Kids and teens are most susceptible to tooth decay because their tooth enamel is not fully developed.

You can avoid tooth decay and other health problems that arise from drinking too many soft drinks, other carbonated beverages, sports drinks, iced and sweet teas, and other sweetened liquids (like fruit juices). Limiting your intake, brushing and flossing twice a day, and visiting your dentist regularly will reduce your risk of tooth decay to improve and/or maintain your oral health.

Stay hydrated the right way

Staying properly hydrated is critical to overall health – and some beverages are better suited for this than others. Most soft drinks contain sugar and caffeine which can actually SPEED UP dehydration.

While drinking sports drinks may keep your body hydrated, the ones with sugar also can, unfortunately, cause cavities. In addition, non-cola sodas, lemonade, and sports drinks can cause significant damage to your teeth enamel, which can lead to tooth decay.

Did you know lack of water is the number one trigger for daytime fatigue? So next time you feel tired at work or school, don’t reach for a caffeinated beverage, drink water. It’s good for your body and won’t damage your teeth like soda and other caffeinated beverages.

DO

• Drink soda in moderation (no more than one 12 oz can a day)
• Use a straw to keep the sugar away from your teeth
• Swish your mouth out with water after drinking to dilute the acid and sugar if brushing your teeth is not possible.
• Drink plenty of water (8 glasses a day)

DON’T

• Sip for extended periods of time
• Drink soda shortly before bedtime
• Brush after meals – wait at least an hour after your last drink or meal before brushing
• Substitute soft drinks, sports drinks, or fruit juice for a meal.

Other tips for maintaining a healthy smile:

• Chew sugarless gum
• Visit your dentist regularly
• Brush and floss daily
• Drink fluoridated water and use a fluoride toothpaste
• Read the labels for sugar content

Cavities, also known as tooth decay, occur when plague, the sticky substance that forms on teeth, combines with the sugars and/or starches of the foods that we eat. This combination produces acids that attack tooth enamel.

Tooth decay is also the second most prevalent disease in the United States (the common cold is first). Fortunately, cavities can be easily prevented.

1. Brush Your Teeth

In the fight against cavities, it is essential that you brush your teeth properly at least twice a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride.

2. Floss Daily

Food debris gets caught in between our teeth when we eat. If the debris is not removed, it can lead to cavities. Flossing every day is the best way to remove food debris from in between the teeth.

3. Eat Healthy

Proper nutrition plays an important role in good dental health. Eating nutritional snacks and limiting the amount of sugary drinks will help to prevent plaque from forming on the teeth.

4. Visit Your Dentist

Many cavities can only be detected by a dentist or a dental X-ray. Visiting your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings are a key factor in preventing cavities and staying on top of good oral hygiene.

5. Have Sealants Placed

Dental sealants are a protective coating that is applied to the biting surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant protects the tooth from getting a cavity by shielding it against bacteria and plaque. Sealants are more common in children because of the new growth of permanent teeth, however, sealants can benefit adults too.

6. Use a Mouthrinse

There are several antimicrobial mouth rinses on the market that have been clinically proven to reduce plaque, such as Listerine or Crest Pro Health. Rinsing with one of these mouth rinses after brushing or eating can aid in cavity prevention.

7. Chew (Sugarless) Gum!

Believe it or not, chewing certain sugarless gums can actually help to prevent cavities by increasing the flow of saliva in your mouth. In 2007, the American Dental Association awarded their Seal of Acceptance to Wrigley’s Orbit, Eclipse and Extra chewing gums for helping to prevent cavities.