On Thursday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis passed a law prohibiting local bodies from augmenting water supplies with fluoride, a development which led to deliberations within the Florida dental community on the repercussions. Jeff Ottley, the chair of the Florida Dental Association and a practitioner in a family dental clinic in Milton, anticipates an increase in cases of tooth decay over time with the implementation of this law. Naturally, all water contains fluoride to some extent, with additional quantities often being introduced by numerous Florida counties and cities as a preventative measure against tooth decay. As per the new law, this supplemental fluoride addition will be stopped by the local bodies from the 1st of July.
With the advent of this change in fluoride regulations, Florida’s dental professionals feel it crucial to ramp up their efforts in educating the public about oral hygiene. The dental community encourages people to consider alternative sources of fluoride, lessen their consumption of sugary foods and adjust their diet to include foods naturally rich in fluoride. The primary advice given by dentists is to be proactive in maintaining oral health. Miami dentist and Florida Dental Association’s former president Beatriz Terry reinforces the importance of regular dental check-ups, especially in light of these new regulations.
Fluoride enhances the defensive capability of teeth by strengthening the enamel against attacks from bacterial acids and sugars. In the absence of supplemental fluoride in water, dentists express concerns over the decreased opportunities for the mineral to effectively guard cavity-susceptible areas. According to Ottley, the reduction in water fluoride after July 1 in Florida could lead to a populous increase in tooth decay in approximately two to three years. This timeframe, however, might be shortened to six to eight weeks for those with poor oral habits or those who consume high-sugar diets or suffer from dry mouth.
Terry emphasized the importance of brushing with fluoride toothpaste twice a day for everyone, especially critical for children whose teeth are still developing. For such children, fluoride water might have been their only source of preventative dental care. Terry stated that the present guidelines recommend dental check-ups for children starting from the age of three, but with the upcoming fluoride prohibition, this age limit might be reconsidered earlier.
In an attempt to educate the public about alternative fluoride options, the Florida Dental Association is planning to compile resources on its website, including fluoridated bottled water and chewable tablets. It is important to note that fluoride tablets are subject to obtaining a prescription from a health practitioner. For children who are too young for chewable tablets, they may be prescribed fluoride drops or gels instead.
For young teenagers with braces, a fluoride mouth rinse might be more effective, as it can easily reach areas which could be difficult to access with toothpaste. Terry advises to always look for products approved by the American Dental Association. Certain food items like tea, shrimp, crab and spinach are naturally rich in fluoride. In the absence of the added fluoride from water, dentists stress the importance of a balanced diet; high sugar and refined carb diets increase the probability of cavities.
From the 1st of July, dentists are urging the elderly population to exercise more caution in their oral care. The probability of tooth decay is heightened in seniors due to medication or existing medical conditions leading to dry mouth. Drinking water fortified with fluoride used to help strengthen their teeth by keeping them in contact with the mineral during the day. Post retiring to bed and ceasing to consume water, Ottley recommends brushing thoroughly and refraining from midnight snacks.
In cases of high risk of tooth decay, painting the tooth surface directly with a fluoride varnish could help protect against cavities. Even though fluoride can be beneficial, an excessive amount can cause teeth to turn brown, cautions Terry. To children with high plaque levels, irregular dental check-ups, or those with family history of dental diseases, dentists might recommend a fluoride supplement. The aim is to compensate for the fluoride levels that would otherwise be obtained from drinking water.
Recent trends, however, suggest a possible review of such fluoride supplements. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced plans for a scientific study, targeted for completion by October 31, of children’s chewable fluoride products due to health concerns and the possibility of their elimination from the market.
According to Governor DeSantis, the bill he signed was less about the debate on fluoride and more about reinforcing collective decision-making and health autonomy. He said, ‘We have other ways where people can get access to fluoride,’ adding that by putting it in the water supply, ‘you’re taking away a choice of someone who may not want to have overexposure to fluoride.’
Fluoride has been utilized as an additive in U.S. drinking water for years at the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as it aids tooth strengthening and decay prevention. Recently, however, the fluoridation debate has become rather contentious in Florida and across the country, with public health organizations clashing with politicians and activists.
Across Florida, approximately 100 water systems, including those of Broward and Palm Beach counties as well as cities like Coral Springs and Hollywood, have been adding fluoride to water. Several of these cities have recently voted against this practice. For some underprivileged families, the fluoride content in public drinking water might be their sole source of preventive dental care.
To counteract the upcoming legislation, President Ottley shared that the Florida Dental Association is preparing to ramp up an education program in schools and potentially to Parent-Teacher Associations. The association has also pledged to continue its annual free dental care initiative for underserved communities. Despite criticism, Florida stands to become the second state, following Utah, to ban water fluoridation. Terry underscores the relevance of fluoride in dentistry by stating, ‘We know that fluoride reduces tooth decay by 25%, so we expect to be busier than ever.’
The post Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Bans Fluoridation of Water Supply appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
