Archive for August, 2011

Over 3,000 American Health Professionals Opposed to Fluoride

Tuesday, August 30th, 2011

3000 Professionals Opposed to FluorideThe Fluoride Action Network (FAN) is a non-profit organization dedicated to spreading awareness for the toxicity of fluoride and the health impacts of current exposure.  Over 3,000 American health professionals have signed an official statement with FAN, supporting the group’s efforts to educate the public about the potentially harmful affects of fluoride.  Assure a Smile Miami Dentistry stands by FAN in spreading awareness for fluoride toxicity and educating patients on ways to avoid this readily available mineral.

The Fluoride Opposition

Water fluoridation began in the 1930s as a way to deliver fluoride to the general public through drinking water.  At the time, fluoride was considered beneficial in strengthening tooth enamel and preventing tooth decay.  Now, however, numerous studies suggest that fluoride is too readily available to the public and individuals are suffering from over ingestion.  One report released by the Center for Disease Control states that the rate of fluorosis, a condition whereby tooth enamel becomes overly hardened and discolored, has doubled among children since the 1980s.

 

New evidence further suggests that fluoride is readily available in highly concentrated forms.  Fluoride toothpastes, to illustrate, may contain up to 15 times the fluoride content of drinking water.  According to FAN, other common consumer items with high concentrations of fluoride include processed cereals, sodas, juices, and mechanically deboned chicken.  Regular contact with these items may cause fluoride to quickly accumulate in the body, setting the foundation for over exposure and toxic side effects.

 

Health professionals are actively fighting the practice of water fluoridation for several reasons.  First, it is important to let people know that water fluoridation is not the ‘norm.’ According to FAN, less than 10 countries in the world fluoridate a majority of their water supplies.  Of equal importance is spreading awareness for the fact that fluoride is not needed to prevent tooth decay.  There are a number of all natural gum care methods that will help to create strong and healthy teeth without risking the side effects of fluoride exposure.

 

Finally, professionals are standing in direct opposition to water fluoridation because of the side effects it may produce.  One such side effect is a phenomenon known as hidden caries.  Hidden caries are vertical pockets of tooth decay that are nearly impossible to detect through visual inspection or x-ray imaging.  Rather, special laser dentistry tools are needed to identify and treat these areas.

FAN Accomplishments

Though the campaign for a fluoride-free America is far from over, the Fluoride Action Network has several noteworthy accomplishments that have helped to spread awareness and impetus among Americans.  These include:

 

1. Successfully lobbied with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the “phasing out” of fluoride pesticides from the U.S. crop supply.

 

2. Worked with National Research Council (NRC), providing ground breaking information that led to the 2006 NRC report indicating that water fluoridation is “not protective of health and should be lowered.”

 

3. Convinced local municipalities to issue warnings about the dangers of using fluoridated water in baby formula.  In Burlington, VA, FAN successfully moved local government to convey this warning to the public, a full year before the American Dental Association issued the same warning to all Americans.

Miami Holistic Dentistry and Fluoride Awareness

Miami holistic dentists differ from traditional dentists in their concern for overall wellness.  It is this concern for overall, “big picture” wellness that has driven holistic health care professionals to actively protest the use of fluoride in water, dental products, and other consumable items.

 

Where do you stand on the issue?  Message the Dentist305 Twitter account to share your thoughts on water fluoridation, fluoride toxicity, and its overwhelming availability in most consumer products!

 

You may also schedule an appointment with the professionals at Assure a Smile to learn more about holistic dentistry and all-natural ways to create healthy teeth and gums for life!

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Do You Need Fluoride to Prevent Tooth Decay?

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011

Do You Need Fluoride to Prevent Tooth Decay?Miami dentists are quick to warn patients that fluoride is not necessary to prevent tooth decay.  In fact, numerous studies have recently indicated that Americans receive too much of this mineral.  Miami holistic dentists have long urged patients to keep a watchful eye-out for the 5 Most Common Sources of fluoride so as to limit exposure and prevent the development of associated illnesses.

 

The American Association of Poison Control reports that 378 cases of fluoride toxicity occurred in 2009 alone (i).  “Moderate” effects of fluoride over-ingestion were reported in 42 cases while “major” effects were seen in 2 cases.  Thankfully none of these hospital admissions resulted in death.  In the wake of these findings, it is increasingly important for dental patients, especially parents, to know the signs of fluoride overexposure.

Fluoride:  When You’re Getting Too Much

The following signs may be indications that an individual has been exposed to too much fluoride:

  • Fluorosis – a streaking/ discoloration of tooth enamel.  The Wall Street Journal recently reported an increased incidence of fluorosis among children, prompting parents to more closely monitor exposure to fluoridated toothpastes, mouth rinses, and other sources.
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Headache
  • Tremors, Seizures, and Muscular Weakness

Healthy Teeth Without Fluoride

Developed nations have a history of adding fluoride to drinking water on the assumption that it strengthens tooth enamel and prevents tooth decay.  However, fluoridated water is not needed to create strong and health teeth.  Holistic dentistry holds that overall wellness is reflected through the health of the teeth and gums.  In this way, teeth and surrounding gum tissue may flourish healthily simply by taking proactive steps towards a overall wellness.

 

The following tips may help patients develop strong and healthy teeth without the use of fluoride:

 

Brushing – The oldest rule in the book.  You must clean your teeth regularly to keep them healthy and plaque free, and brushing is one of the best ways to do so.  Individuals typically brush once in the morning and once at night, however some may want to consider brushing a third time after a mid-day meal.

 

Flossing – Flossing, like brushing, is one of the most widely known ways to proactively prevent tooth decay.  Flossing removes food particles from hard-to-reach places between the teeth, greatly reducing the incidence of tooth decay.

 

Eating Well – Few people know that simple dietary changes can greatly reduce the development of tooth decay.  Reducing the amount of sugar and starches in your diet, for example, will lower the rate at which plaque, bacteria, and tooth decay develop.

 

Smoking – Smoking leads to dry mouth, a condition whereby saliva production is impaired.  Saliva breaks down food and may help to keep it from sticking to your teeth.  When saliva becomes scarce, food particles may increasingly stick to your teeth and provide a hospitable environment in which bacteria may grow.

 

Water – Consuming plenty of water helps to regulate a number of important body processes.  Drinking water with every meal may help with the ingestion of food while reducing the amount of food that becomes stuck and/or tangled between the teeth.

Holistic Dentistry

Holistic dentists are committed to educating patients about the larger systems contributing the oral health.  To better illustrate this idea, visit our Meridian tooth chart and see how the health of individual teeth is linked with other organs and body systems!

 

Schedule an appointment with a holistic professional at Assure a Smile to learn more about the all-natural ways to create healthy teeth and gums for life!

 

(i) http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/814774-overview#a0199

 

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Fluoride Overload: 5 Common Sources You Need to Know About

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

fluoride-overload“Dental and Public health administrators should be aware of the total fluoride exposure in the population before introducing any additional fluoride program,” reported the World Health Organization in 1994 (i).   But have they?

 

Since 1940, more and more individuals have begun consuming fluoridated water.  Often times, that water is disguised in processed soft drinks, juices, and oral health products like toothpaste and mouth rinse.  With consumption and adverse side effects on the rise, Miami dentists are beginning to caution patients to pay more attention to everyday products that may be contributing to fluoride overload.

 

Comments by Dr. Ted Herrmann:

The adverse side effects of ingesting too much fluoride are beginning to become more apparent.  The Center for Disease Control has released studies indicating that the rate of fluorosis among children ages 12-15 has doubled since the 1980s.  To learn more about fluorosis, please visit our Miami Dentist Blog article Miami Dentistry News:  Government Recommends Less Fluoride.  There, you will find basic information on fluoride, as well as a Frequently Asked Questions column on fluorosis.

Fluoride:  5 Sources You Need to Know About

We must first identify the most common forms of fluoride before we can take steps to limit ingestion.  Unfortunately, fluoride finds its way into a number of consumable products because it is contained in public drinking water.  Public water, as you may have guesses, is likewise used in a range of different products.  In this way, the typical American may ingest quite a bit of fluoride over the course of a day simply by drinking tap water in the morning, some bottled juice at lunch, and using fluoridated toothpaste at night.

Here are the 5 of the most common sources of fluoride to identify and limit:

 

Toothpaste: Most consumers do not know that toothpaste may contain up to 1,000 times the fluoride content of public water.  When used nightly, fluoridated toothpaste may easily become the biggest contributor to fluorosis.

 

Juice: Bottled juice may contain substantial amounts of fluoride because it is often made with fluoridated water.

 

Soda: “Seventy-one percent of the sodas had fluoride levels exceeding 0.6 ppm,” reported the Journal of the American Dental Association.   This is on par with public drinking water, which contains about 1 ppm.

 

Mouth Rinse: Mouth rinse may contain upward of 500 ppm fluoride, about 500 times the amount determined to be safe and beneficial in public drinking water.  Regular use of fluoridated mouth rinse is a large contributor to fluorosis, second only to heavily fluoridated toothpaste.

 

Fluoridated Salt:  Even table salt is becoming fluoridated, with concentrations climbing upwards of 200 ppm.  While the U.S. and Canada do not yet have fluoridated salt programs, the practice is becoming widespread in parts of Europe and Central America.  U.S. residents are cautioned to limit salt intake while traveling to these countries.

Miami Dentist Blog:  Federal Government and Fluoride Warning

The danger associated with ingesting too much fluoride has been a holistic dentistry concern for many years.  The topic is just now receiving the attention of the masses, thanks in part to a Wall Street Journal story on the increase in fluorosis among children.

 

When searching for a dentist in Miami, you may want to consider visiting a holistic dentist who practices fluoride-free dentistry.  Holistic dental professionals are well versed in fluoride toxicology, and they may help you to limit exposure to fluoride through simple lifestyle changes.  Choosing the right types of water, toothpastes, and mouth rinses, for example, may greatly reduce fluoride ingestion and improve overall health!

 

(i) http://www.fluoridealert.org/fluoride-dangers/sources-of-fluoride.aspx

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