Have you ever wondered how fluoride, a mineral found in rocks and soil, prevents tooth decay? Was it trial and error? Did some dental researcher begin testing various chemicals on people’s teeth to determine their effects?
According to report by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, the discovery of fluoride as a weapon against tooth decay can be traced back to 1901. It was during this time that a young dental school graduate named Frederick McKay moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado to open a dental practice. After his arrival, he was shocked to discover that most people in the area had unsightly brown stains on their teeth. “So severe could these permanent stains be, in fact, sometimes entire teeth were splotched the color of chocolate candy.” What’s even more bizarre is that McKay noticed that these same stained teeth (referred to as Colorado Brown Stain) were mysteriously resistant to decay.
His investigation led to test water samples in these affected areas. Although McKay and his team did not immediately recognize the presence of fluoride, it was later confirmed that fluoride was found at extremely high levels in these test areas. This led to further testing to determine safe levels of fluoride that could exist in drinking water before fluorosis occurred.
What does this mean?
This revelation transformed dentistry into a prevention-oriented profession.
- Fluoride can be found in nearly every brand of toothpaste on the shelf
- Water fluoridation projects currently benefit over 200 million Americans
- 13 million schoolchildren now participate in school-based fluoride mouth rinse programs
There are a number of fluoride mouthwashes, toothpastes, and other products on the market that can supplement your oral hygiene. Dr. Moore of Moore Family Dental can help educate you and your family on the benefits of fluoride usage and treatments. As with everything in life, too much of a good thing can be harmful to our health. It’s important to understand your options. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us.