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> The article also points out, "Another 2009 review[link] by the Cochrane group clearly shows that fluoride toothpaste prevents cavities, serving as a useful co
by jmckib 11y ago
> The article also points out, "Another 2009 review[link] by the Cochrane group clearly shows that fluoride toothpaste prevents cavities, serving as a useful counterpoint to fluoridation’s uncertain benefits."
I think you understood this, but I wanted to clarify for others: the Cochrane review that this article is about showed that fluoridated water may not prevent tooth decay. The 2009 review you mention does not contradict this, since it is about fluoridated toothpaste, not water.
- xherberta 11y agoThere's another relevant Cochrane review that compares the effect of multiple topical fluoride therapies vs. a single therapy (i.e. toothpaste.) http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD002781.pub2/abstract http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD002781... "The separate meta-analyses of fluoride gel or mouthrinse combined with toothpaste versus toothpaste alone favour the combined regimens, but differences were not statistically significant; the significant difference in favour of the combined use of fluoride varnish and toothpaste accrues from a very small trial and appears likely to be a spurious result. [Except for two studies finding gel + mouthrinse to be more effective than gel alone,] no other combinations of topical fluoride therapy were consistently superior to a single therapy." Since fluoride can harm brains, kidneys, and more at certain doses, I'm glad people are interested in which therapies are most effective and are seeking the optimal exposure level.