We all know that fluoride is necessary for healthy teeth. Yet misconceptions of it, and inconsistency in its availability, still plague the country as a whole. Recent insights from dental experts reveal how fluoride, found naturally in water and minerals, is vital for preventing tooth decay and strengthening enamel. Although most Australians enjoy the benefits of fluoridated drinking water, thousands in Queensland live where access and availability are still barriers that threaten their oral health.
Laurence Walsh, a dental researcher at the University of Queensland, points out that nature expresses fluoride ions only. You can find these ions in almost every body of water, including lakes, rivers, and oceans. He argues that fluoride easily dissolves directly into water from rocks and minerals. That’s not enough to defend adding artificial fluoride to drinking water. Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) endorses this very positive practice. According to the NHMRC, keeping fluoride levels within 0.6 and 1.1 milligrams per litre will maximize the positive effects on dental health.
Regional Disparities in Fluoride Availability
For the most part, Australians relish the benefits of fluoridated water, with glaring inequity still present, most notably in Queensland. Yet recently nearly 25 percent of councils across the state have voted to eliminate fluoride from their water supplies. This decision deprives residents—particularly in disadvantaged communities—of access to this important, health-protective mineral. Dr. Dickson-Swift points out that “there’s no fluoride in the water there, people are on low incomes, they’re living in areas of disadvantage without dental services.” This inaccessibility can contribute to an exacerbation of poor dental health in these communities.
Research from studies across Australia has demonstrated significant fluoride-related reductions in tooth decay rates. In Queensland more broadly, communities that have made the switch to fluoridated water experience a significant reduction in tooth decay among their populations. Dr. Dickson-Swift notes that “when we take fluoride out of the water, we can see a clear pathway to those things going up,” referring to the rise in dental problems when fluoride is absent.
The case for more general education about oral health care cannot be overstated. Dr. Dickson-Swift states, “there’s a lot of oral health promotion and oral health education work that can be done within communities so that people have the information that they need to then make informed choices.”
Effective Practices for Dental Health
Integrating fluoride toothpaste into everyday habits is simple but powerful. Increasing access to fluoride toothpaste will help strengthen our prevention efforts and protect dental health. Professional guidelines call for twice daily brushing with a fluoride toothpaste and suggest not rinsing the mouth immediately after brushing. As Dr. Dickson-Swift explains, “the minute you rinse your mouth, you’re rinsing the fluoride off your teeth.” This minor but effective intervention can greatly improve enamel quality and resistance to caries.
Professor Walsh’s advice is to use toothpaste that includes stannous fluoride, better known as tin fluoride. He describes how fluoride interacts with calcium and phosphate to develop a structural framework that reinforces tooth enamel. “It’s kind of a repair tool if you think about it, almost like a puncture kit,” adds Dr. Dickson-Swift, highlighting the mineral’s role in reversing early stages of tooth decay.
Although fluoride has many benefits, there are valid concerns as high concentrations can result in negative impacts, including dental fluorosis. This condition leads to pitting and discoloration of the teeth that can be very mild or severe. Thus, ensuring that fluoride intake is balanced is very important in achieving the benefits of fluoride while limiting the risk of harm.
Community Engagement and Health Promotion
In areas that do not have access to fluoridation, targeted, focused interventions are required to meet dental health needs of every person. Professor Walsh points out that while there isn’t an instant replacement for fluoride in water, various measures can be adapted to suit personal lifestyles and risk factors. “It’s going to increase your risk. So that means you have to do more prevention than you’re doing prevention,” he cautions.
This community engagement is still extremely important Oral health should not be an afterthought to overall wellness. Dr. Dickson-Swift notes, “we don’t connect the healthy body with a healthy mouth.” Fostering holistic education about dental hygiene practices can better equip people to decide how to best care for their teeth.
