The best rule for fluoride is: Not too much. Not too little.
Ever since the first American city began to manage fluoride levels in its water supply, there’s been plenty of misinformation floating around regarding the potential benefits and dangers of this substance.
In a nutshell, fluoride has been shown to help protect against tooth decay. It also exists naturally in most water supplies. When communities fluoridated their water, they weren’t necessarily adding it; they were adjusting the dose to the best level. That’s why, when it comes to fluoride intake (in water, toothpaste, or tooth varnishes) it pays to apply the Goldilocks Rule:
Not too much. Not too little. Regulate the dose to be juuuuuuuust right.
Infants and young children who drink bottled water instead of fluoridated tap water may be underdosed. Studies have indicated that decades of exposure to excessively high levels of fluoride may affect bone mineral density in older adults.
If you’re concerned about fluoride levels, ask us about it at your next appointment. We’d be happy to supply some guidelines!
Dr. Angela Burns moved to Austin 10 years ago and instantly fell in love with our beautiful city. Dr. Burns is originally from the Texarkana area. She attended Texas A&M for her undergraduate degree and The University of Tennessee Health Science Center for her degree in dental surgery (DDS). Dr. Burns is committed to providing her patients with gentle, technologically advanced dental treatment. She attends an average of 60 hours of continuing education every year. She is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Texas Dental Association, and the Capital Area Dental Society. Dr. Burns and her husband, Gary, have an 11-year-old daughter, Sydney, who is a proud 6th grader at Hill Country Middle School. She is also very involved in the Eanes PTO, her church, and loves raising her family in the Westlake community. “Growing up, I was drawn to mediating and helping others feel more included and less anxious. I was a camp counselor, student government officer and being the oldest of five, I was the family mediator. I found that I had a calling to help alleviate stressful situations for others and realized that being a good listener was something that was key to this. These skills really helped guide me into becoming a dentist that has based my practice on relationships, empathy and a sense of comfort. I knew that I wanted to provide an atmosphere that felt like home when others walked in. Our practice is small, personal and state of the art and we hope you feel like you’re hanging out with friends when you are here!” When she is not practicing dentistry, Dr. Burns enjoys traveling, hiking the greenbelt, enjoying Austin’s music scene, and eating Amy’s Ice Cream.
