Fluoride: Good or Bad?

I quite often have a look through the forum index and go back and read some of the many posts that have been put up on the Forum over the last two years ... one such post was this one here https://lowcarbdiabetic.forumotion.co.uk/t1936-teeth-gums-and-death

At the end of the post Chris asks "Anyone else noticed a major improvement in their dental health from low carbing?"

I can't believe that no-on answered him at the time  

So I'm answering it now ... yes, my teeth and gums have improved these past eight years since I reduced the carbs.
Dentists so often say cut out the sugar, and so many people think that sugar is to do with too much weight - whereas probably definitely it affects our whole body and health in general.

Of course there are many ways we can look after ourselves and our health better ... but going back to our teeth, I'm asking a question too!

Do you think fluoride is good or bad - the toothpaste I buy does contain fluoride, it is also a toothpaste for 'sensitive teeth and gums' and was recommended to me by my dentist.

But some approve of fluoride while others don't.

Which brings me to this article - on Authority Nutrition site -

" Fluoride : Good or Bad ?

Fluoride is a chemical commonly added to toothpaste.

It has a unique ability to prevent tooth decay.

For this reason, fluoride has been widely added to water supplies to improve dental health.

However, many people are concerned about the potential harm from excess intake.

This article takes an in-depth look at fluoride and examines how it can affect your health

What Is Fluoride?

Fluoride is the negative ion of the element fluorine. It is represented by the chemical formula F-.

It is widely found in nature, in trace amounts. It occurs naturally in air, soil, plants, rocks, fresh water, sea water and many foods.

Fluoride plays a role in the mineralization of your bones and teeth, a process essential for keeping them hard and strong.

In fact, about 99% of the body’s fluoride is stored in bones and teeth.

Fluoride is also important for preventing dental caries, also known as cavities. This is why it has been added to community water supplies in many countries (1).

Bottom Line: Fluoride is the ionized form of the element fluorine. It is widely distributed in nature and supports the mineralization of bones and teeth. Fluoride may also help prevent cavities.

There are other details with relevant links you may wish to read including:

Sources of Fluoride
Fluoride Helps Prevent Dental Cavities
Water Fluoridation Is Controversial

and the

Take Home Message

As with many other nutrients, fluoride appears to be safe and effective when used and consumed in appropriate amounts.

It can help prevent cavities, but ingesting it in very large amounts through drinking water may lead to serious health issues.

However, this is mainly a problem in countries with naturally high fluoride levels in water, such as China and India.

The amount of fluoride is tightly controlled in countries that intentionally add it to drinking water.

While some question the ethics behind this public health intervention, fluoridated community water is unlikely to cause any serious health problems."

See the full article here https://authoritynutrition.com/fluoride-good-or-bad/


... and don't forget the question
"Anyone else noticed a major improvement in their dental health from low carbing?"

Happy Thursday    

All the best Jan

It's far from uncommon. My teeth more or less used to come through with holes already in them and I was always accused of eating "too much sugar" which I didn't. Well OK too much sugar FOR ME but not compared to other people.

It was the starch all along.

Having said which, the only recent dental problems I've had were caused by nuts. The corner of a tooth cracked off and needed mending, and a sliver of nut embedded itself in the gum between two teeth and caused an abcess. Apart from that they hardly even need scraping, they collect so little plaque.

I was reading something historical about fluoride, yes it does appear to improve teeth but whether it does so when low carbing is moot. However it is extremely reactive and there's a theory that fluoride may displace iodine and cause thyroid problems among others. 

Best kept in toothpaste IMO so you can decide how much to use, or not. Putting it in the drinking water is just a clever way of profiting from industrial waste.

Fluoride Consumption Linked To Diabetes?

http://www.medicaldaily.com/

Can't blame the water for my diabetes fluoride not added in my area suppose it could be toothpaste though