Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that’s used in dentistry.
Fluoride toothpaste has been the standard-bearer of dental care for decades, but with so many “fluoride free” oral care products now on the market, you might be wondering if fluoride toothpaste is bad for you. The short answer is YES—fluoride toothpaste, mouthwash, and other products has been marketed as an excellent way to keep your teeth healthy and strong.
What is fluoride?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring chemical found in small amounts in soil, rocks, water, air, and even some plants. Fluoride is a common ingredient in oral health products like toothpaste and mouthwash, and it is also used in medical imaging scans, as a cleaning agent, and as an additive to steel and aluminum products.
long-term exposure to excessive amounts of fluoride can lead to health issues, including an increased risk of bone fractures. Swallowing fluoride toothpaste can lead to fluorosis, which interferes with the development of tooth enamel and can result in white streaks on the teeth, and gastrointestinal problems if the amount is large enough.
A Mysterious Disorder
In 1909 Dr. McKay (r) persuaded the Colorado State Dental Association to invite Dr. Green Vardiman Black (l), one of the nation’s most eminent dental researchers, to attend 1909 convention where McKay’s findings were to be presented. The two men began joint research and discovered other areas of the country where brown staining of teeth occurred.
Fluoride research had its beginnings in 1901, when a young dental school graduate named Frederick McKay left the East Coast to open a dental practice in Colorado Springs, Colorado. When he arrived, McKay was astounded to find scores of Colorado Springs natives with grotesque brown stains on their teeth. So severe could these permanent stains be, in fact, sometimes entire teeth were splotched the color of chocolate candy. McKay searched in vain for information on this bizarre disorder. He found no mention of the brown-stained teeth in any of the dental literature of the day. Local residents blamed the problem on any number of strange factors, such as eating too much pork, consuming inferior milk, and drinking calcium-rich water. Thus, McKay took up the gauntlet and initiated research into the disorder himself. His first epidemiological investigations were scuttled by a lack of interest among most area dentists. But McKay persevered and ultimately interested local practitioners in the problem, which was known as Colorado Brown Stain.
Excessive exposure to fluoride has been linked to a number of health issues.
Dental fluorosis
A fluoride content of 0.7 ppm is now considered best for dental health. A concentration that is above 4.0 ppm could be hazardous.
Exposure to high concentrations of fluoride during childhood, when teeth are developing, can result in mild dental fluorosis. There will be tiny white streaks or specks in the enamel of the tooth.
This does not affect the health of the teeth, but the discoloration may be noticeable.
Breastfeeding infants or making up formula milk with fluoride-free water can help protect small children from fluorosis.
Children below the age of 6 years should not use a mouthwash that contains fluoride. Children should be supervised when brushing their teeth to ensure they do not swallow toothpaste.
Skeletal fluorosis
Excess exposure to fluoride can lead to a bone diseaseTrusted Source known as skeletal fluorosis. Over many years, this can result in pain and damage to bones and joints.
The bones may become hardened and less elastic, increasing the risk of fractures. If the bones thicken and bone tissue accumulates, this can contribute to impaired joint mobility.
Thyroid problems
In some cases, excess fluoride can damage the parathyroid gland. This can result in hyperparathyroidism, which involves uncontrolled secretion of parathyroid hormones.
This can result in a depletion of calcium in bone structures and higher-than-normal concentrations of calcium in the blood.
Lower calcium concentrations in bones make them more susceptible to fractures.
Neurological problems
In 2017, a report was published suggesting that exposure to fluoride before birth could lead toTrusted Source poorer cognitive outcomes in the future.
The researchers measured fluoride levels in 299 women during pregnancy and in their children between the ages of 6 and 12 years. They tested cognitive ability at the ages of 4 years and between 6 and 12 years. Higher levels of fluoride were associated with lower scores on IQ tests.
In 2014, fluoride was documented as a neurotoxin that could be hazardousTrusted Source to child development, along with 10 other industrial chemicals, including lead, arsenic, toluene, and methylmercury.
Other health problems
According to the International Association of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT), an organization that campaigns against the use of added fluoride, it may also contribute to the following health problems:
- acne and other skin problems
- cardiovascular problems, including arteriosclerosis and arterial calcification, high blood pressure, myocardial damage, cardiac insufficiency, and heart failure
- reproductive issues, such as lower fertility and early puberty in girls
- thyroid dysfunction
- conditions affecting the joints and bones, such as osteoarthritis, bone cancer, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
- neurological problems, possibly leading to ADHD
One review describes fluorideTrusted Source as an “extreme electron scavenger” with an “insatiable appetite for calcium.” The researchers call for the balance of risks and benefits to be reconsidered.
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