Is fluoride a poison? Is it one of the most effective public health campaigns in history? Why does it seem to be in the news so often? At Ayrsley Family Dentistry, we get these questions frequently, and it’s no wonder—there’s a lot of conflicting information out there. Let’s clear things up and talk about what fluoride really is, why it’s used in dentistry, and how it impacts your oral health.

What Is Fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in all water sources—lakes, rivers, and even the ocean contain trace amounts of it. Community water fluoridation began in the United States in 1945 and involves adjusting fluoride levels in drinking water to the optimal amount for preventing tooth decay, typically around 0.7 parts per million.

This is often referred to as systemic fluoride, meaning that when you drink water with fluoride, your body absorbs it. The best way to think about this is similar to calcium. As children grow, calcium helps build strong bones, and fluoride works in a similar way to strengthen teeth. During growth, fluoride can be incorporated into developing tooth enamel, making teeth more resistant to cavities.

Once we reach adulthood, our bodies don’t absorb fluoride into teeth as effectively as when we were growing. However, it still plays an important role in maintaining enamel strength and preventing decay throughout life.

Topical Fluoride: Everyday Protection

There’s another way fluoride benefits teeth—through topical application. This means fluoride is applied directly to the surface of your teeth. Common examples include fluoride toothpaste, mouth rinses, and the professional-strength fluoride treatments provided at dental offices.

Topical fluoride works in two key ways:

• Antimicrobial Protection – It helps reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth that can cause cavities and gum disease.
• Enamel Strengthening – It strengthens the tooth’s surface, making it more resistant to acid attacks from plaque and sugars in food.

Professional fluoride treatments, like those applied during routine dental visits, offer a higher concentration of protection compared to over-the-counter products. This is especially beneficial for children, individuals with a history of frequent cavities, or patients with conditions like dry mouth, which increases the risk of decay.

Fluoride in Real Life

I personally believe that fluoride, when used at recommended levels, is one of the most powerful tools we have for protecting oral health. I’ve used fluoridated products for all three of my young children to help them grow strong, healthy smiles.

Fluoride treatments were also essential for my father, who experienced severe dry mouth due to multiple medications. The professional fluoride applications helped him keep his teeth stronger for much longer than he otherwise would have.

Ayrsley Family Dentistry’s Commitment to Transparency

Since water fluoridation started in the U.S., it has significantly reduced the rate of dental decay nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention even recognized it as one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century.

That said, we believe it’s important for you to make informed decisions about what goes into your body. Our role as your dental team is to share the latest research, explain the proven benefits of fluoride treatment, and help you understand how it can protect your teeth.

Whether it’s fluoride in water, toothpaste, or professional dental applications, we are committed to being transparent and supporting your individual choices for oral health.



If you have questions or concerns about fluoride and its role in your dental care, we’re here to talk about it openly and help you make the best decision for your smile.