You may already know how fluoride is essential when it comes to your dental care. You might overhear your dentist constantly saying how you have to get toothpaste with it and drink plenty of water. But how did this mineral find its way into these everyday items? Continue reading to learn the story of how fluoride became a part of modern dentistry.
The Journey of a Young Man
The story begins in the early 1900s with a young dentist named Frederick McKay. He ventured out to Colorado Springs to open up a dental practice of his own. However, there was something unusual amidst. It seemed that most of the residents had brown stains on their teeth! They weren’t pearly whites, but McKay wanted to figure out this bizarre disorder.
McKay decided to partner with a renowned dental researcher named Dr. G. V. Black. As they were investigating, they found that the cause was high levels of fluoride in the water supply. Today, this condition is known as fluorosis.
The team then became curious if there was an ideal level of it to put in water. That’s because even though the residents had brown stains, their teeth were incredibly resistant to cavities. They soon set out to find the answer.
Addition of Fluoride to Water
McKay continued to research fluoride in water and the effects of it on teeth, but it wasn’t until 1945 that Dr. H. Trendley Dean developed a way to measure it in water. Based on both of their findings, Dr. Dean found the right amount of it to add that doesn’t cause stains but still offers resistance to cavities.
The first city to add this mineral to its water supply was Grand Rapids, Michigan. After a decade of it, Dr. Dean announced that cavities among children had dropped by 60%! This revelation became one of the Top 10 Public Health Achievements of the 20th Century by the CDC. Many other cities quickly followed suit.
The Start of Fluoride Toothpaste
There’s no argument that fluoride has benefits for oral health. Once they were backed by research, the first toothpaste containing it came out in the 1950s. Now, many brands have it in their products, so it’s hard to find one without it.
Using this mineral didn’t stop in water and products because many dentists offer fluoride treatments after a routine cleaning! This helps keep your teeth strong between appointments, so you are at a lower risk for decay.
When it comes to dentistry, it’s hard to imagine a world where you don’t get any fluoride! Countless studies into this mineral and oral health have been done so that it has become safe and effective. Your enamel can stay strong, and you can avoid cavities in your pearly whites.
About the Practice
Dr. Steven Kendrick earned his dental degree from the Oklahoma University College of Dentistry. He wants to be sure that your oral health doesn’t falter with the help of preventive care. By clearing out any harmful plaque and giving you a fluoride boost when needed, you can ensure that your smile stays bright and happy. To learn more about how you can get the right amount of this mineral in your routine, schedule an appointment or call us at (405) 732-0431.