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Dentistry/Prevident and too much fluoride

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Expert: - 2/24/2009


Question
This is the current routine for our 4-YO twin daughters:

Brush after lunch with regular fluoride toothpaste
Brush at bedtime with regular fluoride toothpaste, then brush with Prevident (no rinsing)
Floss

We also have fluoridated water.  Our concern is that we've recently heard that too much fluoride (especially with the use of Prevident) can cause they're teeth to turn irreversibly grey/discolored and may lead to other medical issues.  If you have any information as to this rumor, please elaborate.


Answer
Here's the deal with fluoride.  There are basically two ways to deliver fluoride to the teeth.  

First, there's the fluoride that is applied to the surface of the teeth.  Here we're talking fluoride rinses, fluoride toothpaste, Prevident, and the fluoride that is done in the dentist's office.  This fluoride applied to the tooth surface will make the tooth more resistant to decay.  As long as this is not swallowed there should be no detrimental affect on the teeth, no matter how much and how often it is done.  Actually, most of the fluoride treatment done at the dentist uses a much stronger variety and should only be done once every six months.  The other topical fluorides can be used frequently without harm.

Second, there's ingested fluoride, like in fluoride-vitamin tablets or fluoridated water...basically we're talking about ingested fluoride.  During the period of tooth development (birth thru age 12 or so) the ingested fluoride is incorporated into the developing enamel which makes it stronger.  This is dose sensitive and too much ingested fluoride can have a detrimental affect on the teeth.  In an area with fluoridated water there should be no additional ingested fluoride...no fluoride-vitamins and no swallowing of fluoride toothpaste INCLUDING Prevident.

So that's the deal with fluoride.  You can discard those half-truth rumors.

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Dr. Randolph Myerson

Expertise

Please limit your inquiry to questions about orthodontics (braces) and children's dentistry. I am both an Orthodontist and a Pediatric Dentist, having been trained in both of these dental specialty fields. Orthodontics is the dental specialty that treats problems of tooth, bite and jaw alignment using braces and removable appliances. Pediatric Dentistry is the dental specialty also known as dentistry for children, which deals specifically with the dental problems of this special age group from infants to adolescents. I am also experienced in Forensic Dentistry, the application of dentistry to law enforcement and identification using dental records.

Experience

I have been in the private practice of orthodontics and pediatric dentistry for over 20 years. Prior to that I served for three years on the Cleft Palate and Cranio-facial Reconstruction team at Children''s Hospital of Philadelphia and was an Assistant Professor of Dentistry at University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. I also served as a dentist in the U.S.Air Force, stationed at Andrews AFB in Washington, DC.

Organizations
I am a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and a member of the American Association of Orthodontics, as well as a member of the American Dental Association and the Dental Society of the State of New York.

Education/Credentials
I received my BA in Biology from Frankin & Marshall College in 1969, and my dental degree from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 1973. In 1978 I received both my Certificate in Orthodontics from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, and my Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from Children''s Hospital of Philadelphia after completing a three year Teaching Fellowship in Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in 1978.

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