What Does the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Say About Fluoride?
The Campaign for Dental Health provides numerous resources to help you understand fluoridated water and address questions about fluoride. As part of that, we like to highlight what our partners say about fluoride.
One of our closely aligned partners, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), has much to say about fluoride and fluoridated water. Their policy and recommendation on fluoride therapy is a must-read resource. Let’s take a look at their most recent review of best practices for fluoride therapy.
The review looks at the evidence on a wide variety of fluoride modalities – systemic fluoride (fluoridated water, dietary fluoride supplements), topical fluoride (fluoride gels and foams, fluoride varnish, silver diamine fluoride), and home use products such as fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse. Originally developed in 1967, AAPD updates their best practice guidance regularly, and this revision is current as of 2018.
AAPD states, “Fluoride has been a major factor in the decline in prevalence and severity of dental caries in the U.S. and other economically developed countries. It has several caries-protective mechanisms of action.” The AAPD reviews the evidence on both topical and systemic uses of fluoride and goes on to describe community water fluoridation as “…the most equitable and cost-effective method of delivering fluoride to all members of most communities.” It’s six recommendations address the effectiveness and safety of fluoride for the prevention and control of tooth decay and the appropriate use of fluoride toothpaste. For children at high risk of dental disease, the AAPD includes recommendations on the use of dietary fluoride supplements or prescription-strength home-use products. Finally, silver diamine fluoride is recognized for its effectiveness in arresting decay in primary teeth.
Review the full resource at AAPD Fluoride Therapy Best Practice.
