flouride causes pitting of the enamel?

[bagel]

I just switched to a new toothpaste without flouride.

It says on the box: "Many people get all the flouride they need from their usual dietary sources (tea, seafood, processed foods, soft drinks, water). One of the most common symptoms of excess flouride is chalky white patches on the teeth, and in advanced cases, even pitting of the enamel. The condition is irreversible."

Can this be the reason why I have white patches on my teeth? We thought that my teeth were stained from antibiotics I took as a kid. And I have some demineralization on my two of my molars (on the outer sides), I thought they were caused by cavities.

Am I better off with this toothpaste? The brand is Calci-Pro (imported from New Zealand).

To the dentists in the house, thanks in advance. :D

[smilewarrior]

Fluoride would usually cause chalky white patches if too much fluoride is ingested prior to the age of 4 years old. Below the age of 4, it is recommended that both the dentist and the pediatrician monitor all the sources of fluoride that a child ingests.

Beyond the age of 14, fluoride will never cause chalky white spots on teeth, despite the amount. This doesn't mean you should take in too much fluoride.

Too much fluoride has been shown to affect the formation of the enamel (hard, transluscent, outer covering) of teeth. The condition is known as Fluorosis, and has several degrees of severity. It can range from small chalky white patches to brown patches and surface malformations ( the tooth's surface looks as if it where a part of the surface of the moon).

In Western countris like the United States, the amount of fluoride in their drinking water is OPTIMIZED. The process is called FLUORIDATION. It's a public health move instituted by the government to help prevent cavities. FLUORIDE IN THE RIGHT AMOUNT HELPS PREVENT CAVITIES.

If a child below 4 years old, who drinks fluoridated water, ingests too much fluoride containing toothpaste, the chances that the white spots would appear is high.

Philippine water is not FLUORIDATED. The process is very expensive. Cavite water, particularly those from deep wells, naturally contain high levels of fluoride, which is why cavite residents who have lived in cavite for most of their lives and have always been drinking Cavite water have Fluorosis.

It is always recommended that the amount of toothpaste used should be no more than the size of a PEA( kasing laki ng isang butil ng monggo). The head of the toothbrush should not be overflowing with toothpaste.

Fluoride is much more readily absorbed by calcium. Fluoride helps make our teeth "stronger" and decreases our chances of getting cavities.

FOR A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY SUCH AS THE PHILIPPINES, FLUORIDE IS BEING EYED AS AN IMPORTANT TOOL FOR THE PREVENTION OF CAVITIES. LESS CAVITIES MEANS LESS MAN HOURS LOST DUE TO DENTAL APPOINTMENTS AND INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY AND A MORE COMFORTABLE LIFESTYLE FOR ALL OF US.

P.S. You don't have to buy a very expensive toothpaste. Any brand which contains fluoride will do.

[smilewarrior]

Fluoride is much more readily absorbed by calcium.

Sorry, it's fluoride is much more readily absorbed by enamel THAN calcium.