Visit any conventional dentist for a routine examination or cleaning and you can be guaranteed they will administer fluoride treatment. However, Smiles by Shields does things a little differently than conventional dentists.

Smiles by Shields practices holistic dentistry. This means that some conventional treatment options, such as using fluoride to strengthen your teeth and prevent tooth decay, are not performed in at our practice.

If you are wondering why we – and most holistic dentists – don’t use fluoride, you have come to the right place. We will explain to you why fluoride is not used in most holistic dentistry clinics.

The Studies Don’t Support the Benefits of Fluoride

The scientific and medical community has spent considerable time researching and studying fluoride. Over the years, there has been very little evidence supporting the use of fluoride. That means given the results of the research studies, there is currently not enough evidence to suggest using fluoride enhanced toothpastes and mouthwashes or undergoing fluoride treatment is beneficial.

Considering there is no conclusive evidence that suggests fluoride is beneficial, we believe it is best to not use it. Why put an unknown chemical component in your body if it provides no benefit to you?

Potential Health Problems that can be Linked to Ingesting Too Much Fluoride

Exposure to a tiny bit of fluoride probably won’t cause harmful, lasting effects. Unfortunately, ingesting or exposing yourself to too much fluoride can cause numerous health problems.

Some of the problems that have been linked to ingesting or being exposed to too much fluoride include:

• Arthritis
• Increased risk of bone fractures
• Cancer
• Brain damage
• Impairment in learning
• Memory problems
• Neurobehavioral deficits
• High blood pressure
• Arterial calcification
• Increased risk of heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes
• Increased risk of developing peripheral arterial disease
• Diabetes
• Hypersensitivity
• Kidney disease
• Skeletal fluorosis
• Thyroid disease
• Issues with male fertility
• Endocrine disruption
• Increased risk of developing GI disorders

Avoiding fluoride can be difficult. It seems to be almost everywhere from the water you drink to toothpaste and mouthwashes. There are options available to you if you are trying to avoid fluoride, such as drinking filtered or bottled water and purchasing all natural non-fluoride enhanced toothpaste, but it can be hard to avoid as it really is almost everywhere.

Given how much fluoride is found in our day-to-day lives, we figure that it is best to limit the amount of exposure our patients have to fluoride. That is why we do not offer fluoride treatments, we use clean non-fluoride water, and all our dental treatments are fluoride-free. This eliminates the risk you may have of experiencing health problems from ingesting or being exposed to too much fluoride.

What We Do Instead to Help Improve Your Oral Health

Smiles by Shields takes a very natural, holistic approach to improving your oral health. From the moment you step foot into our office, it is our goal to work to prevent issues before they start. If, and when, problems do occur, we treat them right away as this prevents them from advancing to other more severe problems.

Prevention starts with proper education of how to brush and floss. We make sure that our patients are using the right brushing and flossing techniques so their teeth and gums remain healthy.

In addition to proper education, we believe it is important to undergo regular checkups and cleanings with your dentist. We recommend our patients visit us every six months, more if they have gum disease, as this allows us to monitor the health of their teeth and gums. During this appointment, we can quickly spot any problems and work to correct them.

If you should need treatment for tooth decay, we offer holistic treatment options that will keep your gums and teeth healthy without having to worry about being exposed to potentially harmful toxins like fluoride or amalgam fillings.

Call our office or schedule an appointment to learn more about our holistic dental clinic located in Jacksonville, Florida. We will gladly answer any questions you may have about holistic dentistry or why we don’t use fluoride.