First let me be clear: I’m not a crazy conspiracy person (…on this) I just don’t rely on a municipal well. As far as I know adding fluoride to the private well at my houses is not a thing, good or bad. I did drink municipal water for two years when I lived on campus in college.

That said, is fluoride a benefit to adults or just children?

When I was a kid I got fluoride treatments at the dentist, but then aged out. I’ve never had a cavity in forty years, but I’d like to keep it that way. Should I still be doing it?

Also no, I’m not using the internet as a substitute for a dentist, just my next dental appointment is in four months. TIA

  • Vanth@reddthat.com
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    5 months ago

    My teeth were getting increasingly sensitive. I switched to a special toothpaste and it helped but only a little. my dentist started giving me annual fluoride treatments, similar to the ones I got as a kid, and that did the trick.

    My dentist says most Americans stop getting fluoride treatments at age 12 not because their adult teeth don’t benefit from it, but because our shitty insurance system simply doesn’t cover it as a preventative treatment. So with tooth pain, I have a diagnosis for which fluoride is a covered treatment.

    Obligatory “do your own research” and don’t listen to random internet stranger’s dentist’s claim.

  • Ephera@lemmy.ml
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    5 months ago

    Here in Germany, fluoride is mandated by law recommended to be added to table salt, so I assume it is good to have in general.

    However, regular toothpaste as well as many mouthwashes contain fluoride. In particular, they can contain a much higher dosis, because you spit it back out, so if you’re worried about your teeth, these are definitely the way to go.

    • leds@feddit.dk
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      5 months ago

      Here in Germany, fluoride is mandated by law to be added to table salt, so I assume it is good to have in general.

      Isn’t that iodine?

      • Toine@sh.itjust.works
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        5 months ago

        Both exists, and salt can have both. Fluor in the salt is quite specific to Germany and a few other countries though.

  • dustyData@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    Everyone, even dogs benefit from fluoride in the water. It’s not just children. Virtually all toothpaste contains it too. Some groundwater sources also contain it naturally, some even above the recommended max level from health associations. So I’d say, document yourself with official sources. Test your well levels, then decide. Be mindful that regular consumption of soft drinks, processed foods and even air conditioning nullifies the effects for cavities.

    • pb42184@lemmy.worldOP
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      5 months ago

      Thanks. The fluoride in the water itself is not directly relevant because I just don’t have it, but good evidence to raise the topic with my dentist as an adult. I definitely use fluoridated toothpaste.

      • givesomefucks@lemmy.world
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        5 months ago

        Yeah, if it’s in toothpaste you’re getting enough.

        If you wanted to add fluoride like after you doing well treatment…

        I honestly don’t know if that’s a good idea, because who knows how evenly it’ll stay mixed correctly.

        Like. You may end up getting a shit ton of fluoride when there’s no rain and your wells low, then barely any when it fills up.

        Fluoride toothpaste is likely your best bet for consistent doses.

        • pb42184@lemmy.worldOP
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          5 months ago

          Makes sense. Even if its a thing I’d probably not keep up on it. My house filters have gotten embarrassingly full in my time

          • givesomefucks@lemmy.world
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            5 months ago

            Yeah, I tell people I’m on well/septic even in a city because when this house was built it was before urban sprawl…

            And everyone immediately says how great it is that I don’t have to pay water/sewer.

            But like, I got to pump the septic, I got to service the well, I got to maintain the well pump and pressure tank, my garden hose has no pressure, have to keep up with water softener using a bunch of salt…

            I’m probably not even saving money. And it’s a lot of hassle.

            But it would be 10s of thousands of dollars to get it hooked up, and who knows if my 80 year old plumbing can sustain city water pressure.

            Not to mention if my electric goes out, so does my water.

            I’d 100% prefer city water, $20 a month ain’t shit.

  • jagungal@lemmy.world
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    5 months ago

    For a municipal supply it’s worth the effort, it improves oral health for a whole community at the cost of some fluoride and a dosimeter. For a private supply it’s not worth it. Fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash will give you a good dose of fluoride.

  • johny_joe_1975@discuss.online
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    5 months ago

    Yes, keep using toothpaste with flouride.

    I tried toothpaste without flouride. It hurt my teeth after weeks (i.e: i also heavy drinking sweet drink like pepsi and snack at night, At night, I brush my teeth always before sleep or after snack.).

    • stoly@lemmy.world
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      5 months ago

      I went for years without fluoride. I preferred the flavor and how my mouth felt with the more “natural” ones. Now I switch back and forth, but still avoid Colgate, crest, etc.

    • Habahnow@sh.itjust.works
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      5 months ago

      I did as well. Same symptoms and on my next dentist visit, the dentist had noticed my sensitivity. Back to flouride tooth paste. I switched mainly because I wanted a tooth paste that was in a refillable container or used less plastic. Alas, I have to pick my health as a priority over helping the environment.