How much fluoride is dangerous

There was no evidence of cancer-causing potential in female rats or in male or female mice. Most of the concern about cancer seems to be around osteosarcoma. One theory on how fluoridation might affect the risk of osteosarcoma is based on the fact that fluoride tends to collect in parts of bones where they are growing. These areas, known as growth plates , are where osteosarcomas typically develop. The theory is that fluoride might somehow cause the cells in the growth plate to grow faster, which might make them more likely to eventually become cancerous.

More than 50 population-based studies have looked at the potential link between water fluoride levels and cancer. Most of these have not found a strong link to cancer. Just about all of the studies have been retrospective looking back in time. They have compared, for example, the rates of cancer in a community before and after water fluoridation, or compared cancer rates in communities with lower levels of fluoride in drinking water to those with higher levels either naturally or due to fluoridation.

Some factors are hard to control for in these types of studies that is, the groups being compared may be different in ways other than just the drinking water , so the conclusions reached by any single study must be looked at with caution. And there are other issues that make this topic hard to study. For example, if fluoridation is a risk factor, is the type of fluoride used important?

Also, is there a specific level of fluoride above which the risk is increased, or a certain amount of time or an age range during which a person would need to be exposed?

Osteosarcoma is a rare cancer. Only about cases are diagnosed in children and teens each year in the United States. This means it can be hard to gather enough cases to do large studies. Smaller studies can usually detect big differences in cancer rates between 2 groups, but they might not be able to detect small differences.

If fluoride increased the risk only slightly, it might not be picked up by these types of studies. Small studies by themselves might not provide the answers, but taken as a whole they tend to have more weight. Several systematic reviews over the past 25 years have looked at all of the studies published on this subject. When looking at a possible link with cancer, they first reviewed the results of studies done with lab animals.

The National Research Council issued an update of its review in early The general consensus among the reviews done to date is that there is no strong evidence of a link between water fluoridation and cancer. However, several of the reviews noted that further studies are needed to clarify the possible link. Several studies looking at a possible link between water fluoridation and cancer have been published in recent years.

A partial report of a study from the Harvard School of Public Health, published in , found that exposure to higher levels of fluoride in drinking water was linked to a higher risk of osteosarcoma in boys but not in girls. However, researchers linked to the study noted that early results from a second part of the study did not appear to match those of the report. They therefore advised caution in interpreting the results.

The second part of the Harvard study, published in , compared the fluoride levels in bones near tumors in people with osteosarcoma to the levels in people with other types of bone tumors. The researchers found no difference between the fluoride levels in the two groups. More recent studies have compared the rates of osteosarcoma in areas with higher versus lower levels of fluoridation in Great Britain, Ireland, and the United States. These studies have not found an increased risk of osteosarcoma in areas of water fluoridation.

Community water systems in such areas are required to lower the fluoride level below the acceptable standard. But the levels in private water sources, such as wells, may still be higher. For people concerned that they or their families may be exposed to too much fluoride, there are some steps you can take to reduce your exposure. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC recommends that parents give children under the age of 6 only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste for brushing, and should do their best to make sure their children are not swallowing, as this can be a significant source of fluoride.

Low- and no-fluoride toothpastes and other dental products are also available. The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team. Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.

Accessed at www. Age-specific fluoride exposure in drinking water and osteosarcoma United States. Cancer Causes Control. Is fluoride a risk factor for bone cancer? Small area analysis of osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma diagnosed among year-olds in Great Britain, Int J Epidemiol. It is also prudent that parents ensure children use age-appropriate toothpaste.

Dietary supplements can also be used for children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years. However, this can only be done upon prescription by a doctor.

These supplements are given to children living in areas with non-fluoridated water sources to reduce fluoride-related tooth complications. Monitoring the fluoride in drinking water is another way of reducing fluoride dangers, especially if you have young children. People who use private water wells are advised to have their water tested at least once a year to ascertain fluoride levels. The recommended fluoride levels for dental health are 0. Our professional staff will help you determine how much fluoride is too much for your teeth and get you on the path to healthy fluoride levels for your teeth.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment at one of our locations! Health complications associated with fluorosis include: Skeletal fluorosis Skeletal fluorosis is a disease of the bones caused by exposure to very high levels of fluoride.

These include: Removal of stains through tooth whitening that can be done using homemade remedies or teeth whitening products available in the market.

This entails the addition of a hard resin coating to the tooth, which bonds with the enamel. Dental veneers. Veneers are tooth-colored shells that are usually attached to the front surface of teeth to enhance their appearance. Dental crowns. Streaks, spots or pits may develop on the surfaces of the teeth once they come up above the gums.

In severe cases, the enamel can develop brown, black or gray spots and the teeth can become pitted. It won't have a negative impact on your child's dental health. These streaks and spots are treatable and often reversible. Often, the condition is so mild that only a dental professional can detect it. The chance of developing fluorosis exists until about age eight because teeth are still forming under the gums. Here are some helpful guidelines around safe fluoride use for babies and kids. Remember, most fluorosis cases are preventable.

Remind children to not swallow toothpaste while brushing. Speak to your dentist if you have concerns about the amount of fluoride your children are exposed to. In the developed world, fluorosis isn't associated with a medical condition that causes cavities or jeopardizes your child's health. Some dental fluorosis cases are minor enough that treatment isn't necessary, especially if it occurs on the back teeth.

However, there are treatment options such as teeth whitening if you're concerned. Use dietary fluoride supplements only as prescribed by a physician or a dentist. Fluoride supplements are recommended for children between 6 months and 16 years old living in areas where water is non-fluoridated areas and at high risk of developing tooth decay.

According to the ADA, the recommended level of fluoride in water for dental health is 0. Environmental Protection Agency EPA requires public water systems to notify its customers if the natural occurring fluoride exceeds recommended levels. If you live in an area where naturally occurring fluoride levels in drinking water exceed.

While the EPA does not have the authority to regulate private drinking water wells, it recommends that private well water be tested once a year. Naturally occurring fluoride levels can vary greatly from location to location. All in all, fluoride is safe when used as directed and has major benefits for your child's dental health. Don't worry, while some parts of teaching proper oral care aren't easy, making sure your kids get the right amount of fluoride is pretty simple.

If you have questions, your dentist, pediatrician or family physician can help you determine the proper amount of fluoride for your child. This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.