|
|
|
|
|
CDC Releases New Guidelines on Fluoride Use to Prevent Tooth
Decay
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
today issued new recommendations for fluoride use in the present-day
environment of widespread use of bottled waters and availability of a
host of fluoride-containing products. Fluoride is a well-known
preventative for tooth decay.
Recommendations for Using Fluoride to Prevent and Control Dental
Caries in the United States provides guidance to dental and health
care providers, public health officials and the general public on the
best practices in using fluoride to prevent tooth decay. A work group of
fluoride experts evaluated the scientific evidence for the various
fluoride products used in the United States.
Fluoride is needed throughout the lifespan to prevent and control
tooth decay. Better use of fluoride can lead to considerable savings in
public and private resources and continue the tremendous advances we've
made in reducing tooth decay, said CDC Director Dr. Jeffrey Koplan.
Fluoridation of community drinking water, which began in the late
1940s, and use of other fluoride products, are credited for the dramatic
reductions in tooth decay experienced by U.S. residents. In 1999, the
CDC included water fluoridation in its list of 10 great public health
achievements of the 20th Century. Studies show that fluoride prevents
the formation, slows the progression, or even reverses newly-forming
cavities.
Although these declines have been dramatic, there are still some
areas of the country that are not receiving the benefits of water
fluoridation, Koplan added.
Key recommendations for fluoride use include the following:
- Continue and expand fluoridation of community drinking water.
Water fluoridation in the proper amounts (0.7-1.2 parts per million [ppm])
has been accepted as a safe, effective, and inexpensive method of
preventing tooth decay. Adding fluoride to municipal drinking water
also is an efficient strategy to reduce the inequalities in dental
disease among Americans of all social strata. All persons should know
whether or not their primary source of drinking water has an optimal
level of fluoride. Approximately 100 million Americans currently do
not receive the benefit of fluoridation.
- Frequent use of small amounts of fluoride. Daily and
frequent exposure to small amounts of fluoride will best reduce the
risk of tooth decay for all age groups. The recommendations strongly
support drinking water with optimal levels of fluoride and following
self-care practices such as brushing at least twice a day with
fluoridated toothpaste.
- Use supplements and high concentration fluoride products
judiciously. Fluoride supplements for children may best be
prescribed for those who are at high risk for decay and who live in
communities that have a low fluoride concentration in their drinking
water. High concentration fluoride products, such as professionally
applied gels, foams, and varnishes, also may best benefit children who
are at high risk of decay.
- Parents should monitor the fluoride intake of children younger
than 6 years old. The first six years of life are an important
period for tooth development. Overuse of fluoride during this period
can result in enamel fluorosis, a developmental condition of tooth
enamel that may appear as white lines or spots. Monitoring fluoride
sources by parents can reduce the occurrence of white spots while
preventing early tooth decay. Children under age 6 should use only a
pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste; parents should consult their
child's doctor or dentist concerning use of fluoride toothpaste for
children under age 2.
- Label bottled water with the fluoride concentration.
Increased labeling of bottled waters on a voluntary basis will allow
consumers to make informed decisions on their fluoride intake.
- Educating health professionals and the public.
Collaborative efforts by professional organizations, public agencies
and suppliers of oral care products are needed to encourage behavior
change to facilitate improved, coordinated use of fluoride products
and regimens currently available.
- Further research. Additional studies are needed to learn
more about fluoride use and evaluate the current cost-effectiveness of
fluoride modalities (i.e., toothpastes, mouth rinses, supplements,
gels, and varnishes).
With multiple sources of fluoride available to us, we want to ensure
that every family member gets fluoride in the right amount, in the right
place, and at the right time, stated Dr. William R. Maas, director of
CDC's Division of Oral Health (DOH). These new recommendations will
provide the framework for effective and efficient fluoride use in
today's environment of multiple sources of fluoride.
Related Link
Recommendations for Using Fluoride to Prevent and Control Dental Caries
in the United States. MMWR, August 17, 2001;50(RR-14):1–42.
Also available as a
PDF file (PDF–373K).
One or more documents on this Web page is available in Portable Document Format
(PDF). You will need Acrobat
Reader to view and print these documents.
Date last reviewed:
September 26, 2007
Date last updated: August 9, 2007
Content source:
Division of Oral Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and
Health Promotion |
|