Fluoride Treatments FAQs Orange County, Anaheim, Laguna Woods & Mission Viejo

In the early 1900s, Dr. Mckay and Dr. G.V. Black came to Colorado Springs to investigate the cause of brown staining of teeth present in the local population. They discovered the cause was from high levels of fluoride in the drinking water. However, they also noticed that these teeth were highly resistant to cavities. Scientists began to experiment with the optimum level of fluoride and found it to be .7 to 1.2 parts per million in the water. This level allows for cavity prevention as well as lowered risk of brown staining.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral in food and water. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by reversing early decay, reinforcing the development of permanent teeth, speed remineralization, disrupts acid production, and also makes it difficult for acids to demineralize teeth.

Naturally in food and water, fluoridated water sources, most toothpaste, and many mouth rinses.

After six months, children should supplement fluoride with toothpaste. After age 6, children should add fluoride containing mouth rinses daily and receive fluoride varnish treatment at each visit.

Fluoride supplements are necessary to reduce the risk of tooth decay, and especially if you receive a majority of your water from a non-fluoridated source.

Children under eight who receive way too much fluoride can have enamel fluorosis or a discoloration or mottling of the permanent teeth. If too much fluoride is ingested in a short period, fluoride toxicity can occur with symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, increased salivation, and can last up to 24 hours.

Yes. Fluoride products are safe for application by kids and adults.

Community water fluoridation, dietary fluoride supplements (only for children ages six months to 16 years living in fluoridated areas and at high risk for tooth decay), fluoride gel, fluoride mouth rinse, toothpaste, and varnish.

Between 6 months and 16 years of age.

Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by reversing early decay, reinforcing the development of permanent teeth, speed remineralization, disrupts acid production, and also makes it difficult for acids to demineralize teeth.

Yes, if your child is between 6 months and 16 years of age and does not show signs of over fluoridation.

Fluoride poisoning can cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and headaches. If a child consumes too much fluoride during tooth development, they can have brown staining on their teeth. Their teeth can also be pitted, rough, and hard to clean from overexposure to fluoride.

Yes. If fluoridated water is at .7 to 1.2ppm, then it strengthens teeth and reduces the rate of tooth decay.

People are scared of what they do not understand. They have heard that fluoride is toxic, but everything is toxic at high concentrations. The CDC has named water fluoridation as one of the ten most important public health measures of the 20th century.

Your local water company maintains the fluoride level at .7 to 1.2ppm which is the best level to receive the optimum benefits of fluoride.

Yes. In addition to the regular supplements (toothpaste, mouth rinse, varnish), there are dietary supplements available. Your dentist or physician can prescribe the correct dosage. It is based on the natural fluoride concentration of the child’s drinking water and the age of the child. This should begin when the child is six months old and continued daily until 16 years old.

Please note that fluoridated water can be consumed from other sources such as a workplace, school, filtered water, and bottled water. These dietary supplements are not recommended for children living in a fluoridated community.