Fluoride, use it? Yes, no, or maybe so

[jon-nyc]

I buy fluoride toothpaste, no script needed.

It’s in my water.

I did a quick check and it looks like all the places I lived in the US for more than a year since moving to upstate New York for high school had fluoridated water. Where I was born did too (TX). But from age 2 to 14 (OH, FL) it wasn’t. That was probably the more important time to have it. Lol.

[AndyD]

Yes, toothpaste with fluoride, whitener etc

[RealPlayer]

Daniel, the fact that you have a prescription for fluoride toothpaste may mean that your dentist believes you have a condition that necessitates MORE fluoride content than is allowed in over-the-counter toothpaste. For a time, I was using it when I experienced acid reflux.

[Daniel]

@jon-nyc said:

I buy fluoride toothpaste, no script needed.

It’s in my water.

I did a quick check and it looks like all the places I lived in the US for more than a year since moving to upstate New York for high school had fluoridated water. Where I was born did too (TX). But from age 2 to 14 (OH, FL) it wasn’t. That was probably the more important time to have it. Lol.

@jon-nyc I'm seriously considering it because I have two previous cavities that didn't filled because I missed an appointment. I had to start the process again and I have 3 new cavities.

Also demineralization.

They only have time do do 1 or 2 per appointment.

So I have to go to get cavities filled 3x in a row.

Then it it will be time for a 6 month cleaning.

So 4 more appointments within six months.

Yikes.

[Daniel]

@RealPlayer said:

Daniel, the fact that you have a prescription for fluoride toothpaste may mean that your dentist believes you have a condition that necessitates MORE fluoride content than is allowed in over-the-counter toothpaste. For a time, I was using it when I experienced acid reflux.

Joe, This makes sense.

Please clarify? How was your floride use related to your acid reflux if at all?

[Daniel]

@AndyD said:

Yes, toothpaste with fluoride, whitener etc

We have a consensus.

[AndyD]

Fluoride reduces the need for dental treatment. The rest is debated.

At our ages I'd be more concerned with enamel loss and gums receding.
Careful brushing with electric toothbrushes helps reduce the latter.

Enamel erosion can possibly be helped by some rather pricey toothpastes like Bioniq.

[Daniel]

I've come to the same conclusion. At our age...

My hygienist recommended an electric tooth.

I meant to find one and put it on my list.

I forgot.

I got to over 80 items (items that are the same item in counts of 2, 3, 4, etc. each get counted as 1 item e) and

[Mary Anna]

I've always been pretty firmly convinced that fluoride was a net positive. More importantly, I think it's what scientists in the field think.

There's no effort involved in buying toothpaste with fluoride, which I've always done. Like Jon, I lived in a household with unfluoridated water during the key years--age 3 to 17 for me--and this has surely contributed to my current situation: healthy teeth and gums, but not-great enamel.

[Mark]

I was told when I was young that I must have a natural immunity to cavities. I only every had one or two in my entire life and they were so small that they required no novocaine to fill. That was when I was about 18 years old and had a serious addiction to Mountain Dew and other sugary drinks.

I still use fluoride toothpaste. I floss daily and don't really care about whitening. As long as they are functional I hope to keep my natural teeth until my skeleton turns to dust. Some of my siblings were not so lucky with my one sister having a cavity in every tooth she ever produced, an untold number of root canals, and now permanent implants. My older brother has a full set of dentures, etc. My grandmother and father had dentures. My mother had her natural teeth for her entire 90 year life.

Use the fluoride.