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this post was submitted on 09 Sep 2023
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Does fluoride do anything for adults? I had a retired MD-credentialed public health director recently tell me that it only is useful for the first (7? Can’t remember) years of life.
Mineral constantly comes in and out of the enamel crystal matrix due to acid challenge (which occurs for a variety of reasons), and including fluoride when it goes back in creates a more acid resistant crystal.
This occurs no matter the age of the individual. Systemic uptake is something to be mindful of at young ages, so it's actually important to have not too much when younger, but you can go up to an adult dose past the age of 7.
That’s what I had always heard. He told me the contrary info but then said he still ordered the water to be fluoridated back when he took over a health director position. He’s not a conspiracy guy so I wonder where he got his info. He could be just a bit flaky with age.