Salt Lake City (Ktvx) – on May 7, a The law prohibiting fluoride in Utah’s public drinking water came into force. Less than a week later, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced an attempt to Gradually fluoride supplements They are often used to enhance children’s teeth.
Health Minister Robert F. Kennedy Jr. previously said that Utah had “appeared as a leader in making America healthy again“With his recent anti -fluoridation efforts. With the additional steps taken at federal level to limit the intake of fluoride, what could mean for Americans?
Nexstar’s KTVX spoke with pediatric dentist Dr. Darren Chamberlain, former president of the Utah Dental Association (UDA) and today’s US Dental Representative at the UDA Council on the other options you could protect your teeth if fluoride supplements are withdrawn.
“I guess our only choice is fluorid toothpaste,” Chamberlain said. “Unfortunately, this is not as effective as small doses of fluoride each day.”
Chamberlain explained that fluoride toothpaste only goes to the “bite surface or tooth surface”, so he has typically prescribed fluoride supplements throughout the dental practice.
“Now that this choice is moving away. I am really nervous what we will see coming through my office,” Chamberlain said. “I think we will have a generation of children who are going to be affected and have the harmful effects of not having fluoride on their teeth.”
THE Reported the Associated Press That the FDA plans to conduct a scientific review of flattened fluoride products by the end of October, with the aim of asking manufacturers to voluntarily pull their products.
FDA said that the oppressive products that will be revised and have been removed may have “never approved by the FDA. “The AP reports that the FDA plan will not affect the treatments of fluoride toothpaste, or dental office.
The effects of fluoride
“In order to be able to get the true effects of fluoride, especially with children, as a pediatric dentist, this is the most of my concern,” Dr. Chamberlain told KTVX. “You should consume fluoride either in water supply or through these supplements.”
Chamberlain said that fluoride is integrated into the teeth and creates a layer that is stronger than the enamel, which can help prevent cavities and make the teeth louder. He said that with less access to fluoride, it is likely that children will take more cavities.
“You don’t get the same result locally as you would systematically do from fluoride,” Chamberlain said.
However, he also noted some of the negative effects of fluoride, including fluorosiswhich changes the appearance of the teeth if exposed to excessive fluoride while increasing, according to the CDC.
“While dental fluorosis can be moderate or severe, causing extensive enamel changes, in the US, dental fluorization is mostly mild and cosmetics, which means it does not affect the functioning of the teeth and is not painful,” the CDC explains. “Moderate and severe forms of dental fluorization are rare.”
Chamberlain said there are other policies introduced by Kennedy with whom he agrees, such as getting rid of over-processed foods. He said that sugars and carbohydrates can help create cavities and get rid of those who could help reduce the need for fluoride.
“Unfortunately, in the world we live in, the best way to have a healthy smile and healthy teeth is to use fluoride,” Chamberlain said.
The Associated Press and Nick Butts contributed to this report.
