Effects of Flouride in Children

Studies from the University of Indiana School of dentistry and the American Dental Association have concluded that adding flouride to drinking water will reduce tooth decay in children by up to 60%. The highest benefit goes to low income families because they are not as likely to go to the dentist for routine treatment.


Fluoride in water is a good topical for teeth. Fluoride is absorbed in our bodies from the water we drink and is incorporated into our saliva. Our saliva then gives our teeth a constant bath with fluoride. The fluoride hardens the enamel. this process is called re mineralization.

Adding fluoride to drinking water makes sense because children are very suceptive to tooth decay. Children tend to drink more juice, soda, candy, sweet cereals, and other sugary foods that foster tooth decay.Adding the fluoride to drinking water even saves money because adding fluoride costs pennies on the dollar to what it costs to fill a cavity. I wont mention how difficult it can be to get a child to sit through having a tooth drilled. Also consider how long we live these days compared to just fifty years ago.Think for a minute how much longer children will live in the future. You can see that staying on top of good oral health for children is a necessary step to keeping their teeth healthy for a lifetime.

However, too much of good thing is not good either.  The most common symptom of too much fluoride in children is a condition called fluoresces.  Fluoresces is a condition that causes pitting and discoloring of teeth.  The correction is nonlethal and it is a cosmetic problem that is easily treatable.  Over fluoridation in children can occur as a result of taking fluoride pills and drops incorrectly.  Only use under direction of your doctor or dentist. these treatments should be discontinued when water is fluoridated.
Fluoride is a natural mineral that we need for survival. We need it just like we need salt. If fluoride is added correctly and in the proper amount, it is a positive thing in our lives and makes us healthier and saves many dollars.