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Fluoride: the mother of all band-aids : Comments
By David Gillespie, published 5/1/2009If mass medication is the way we solve society’s lifestyle influenced health problems, then why stop at fluoride?
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However tooth decay is still Australia’s most common and second most expensive disease.
Gabon had 4.4 decayed missing or filled teeth per 12 year old child in 2000
The Philippines had 4.6 DMFT in 1997
Guatemala had 5.2 in 2002
Saint Lucia and 6.0 in 2004
Though Fluoridation increases resistance to acid, much of the food left on teeth after every meal or snack can still cause acid demineralization between teeth and inside pits and fissures on chewing surfaces where over 80% of cavities occur and saliva has little or no access to neutralise acid and remineralise demineralised tooth.
Expensive fillings and fissure sealants from the dentist, block food from being trapped and like avoiding carbohydrate like sugar and fluoridation, greatly prevents the progress of tooth decay.
Perhaps Peter D has a point if only fluoride toothpaste could gain access inside pits and fissures where 80% of cavities occur, demineralised tooth could be remineralised while brushing. But for now, fluoridation has the best track record.