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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has described water fluoridation as one of the ten most important public health advances of the 20th century! But how did information surrounding fluoride arise? How did we learn about its benefits? Continue reading to learn more about the history of fluoride in dentistry and how it can keep your smile strong.
The Colorado Brown Stain
Back in 1901, a community in Colorado began to notice that many people had mysterious staining on their teeth. A young dental school graduate at the time, Frederick McKay, began reporting this occurrence after observing the teeth of the locals. Some of them had stains on their teeth so dark that it appeared that they were coated in chocolate. At that time, there was no mention of this in dental literature, so residents would make their own assumptions. For instance, some believed that this occurred from eating too much pork or drinking “inferior” milk.
To get to the bottom of this phenomenon, McKay collaborated with Dr. G. V. Black. Through some research, they determined that 90% of the locally-born children in the community had these stains on their teeth. They also found that the people who were affected by the “Colorado Brown Stain” were surprisingly resilient to tooth decay.
After many years of research, it was determined that the staining was caused by high fluoride levels in the water supply. The people with the Colorado Brown Stain were affected by “fluorosis.” This is caused by overexposure to fluoride as permanent teeth are formed during childhood.
Fluoride in Drinking Water and Dental Products
After additional testing, it was determined that water that contained fluoride levels up to 1.0 ppm did not cause enamel fluorosis. In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan voted in favor of adding low levels of fluoride to drinking water to determine whether it would help prevent tooth decay. After only 11 years, it was announced that the cavity rate among children had dropped more than 60%!
Today, fluoride is widely acknowledged as a way to protect teeth against decay. Many more towns and cities have opted to add safe fluoride levels to their water supply, and most dental products, like toothpaste and mouthwash, contain fluoride to help improve oral health.
What Are the Benefits of Fluoride?
Fluoride can benefit the teeth in a variety of different ways. Here are some of the most prominent ones:
- Reverses early signs of tooth decay
- Prevents the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth
- Remineralizes weakened enamel
- Slows down the loss of minerals from tooth enamel
Fluoride makes a huge difference in keeping teeth strong and healthy. By using fluoridated dental products, your smile will thank you!
About the Author
Dr. Brenda Berkal is an experienced dentist who has worked in the field for more than 45 years! She earned her dental doctorate from Tufts University before volunteering to serve in the U.S. Army as the first female dentist at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Currently, she is a proud member of the American Dental Association and the American Society of Implant & Reconstructive Dentistry. She is also a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry. To learn more about fluoride or to schedule an appointment at her practice in Derry, visit her website or call (603) 434-4090.