[Perenti]

Not true. Every time I see a dentist here in Queensland (non-fluoridated water) he asks me where else I lived as my teeth are so much better than what he usually sees, and if drilling my teeth are much harder than most Queenslanders.

My early years were spent in Melbourne, where fluoridation was introduced around 1970. That's the only time I lived with fluoridated water, for about 3 years. yet dentists can see the effects 50+ years later.

I don't use a toothbrush or toothpaste, and haven't ever really, as my ASD makes it unbearable.

[j_maffe]

You're refuting a statment based on studies and statistics by anecdotal evedince. Also, GP never denied that flouridation is still helpful for non-brushing residents.

[Perenti]

Poster claimed fluoridation was unnessecary in many parts of the world. This is true of places with natural fluoridation. But not everyone has access to fluoridated toothpaste, or even toothpaste. To assume otherwise is assuming everyone is neurotypical in a developed country.

[baxuz]

And you're assuming that every neurodivergent person can't tolerate brushing their teeth.

I also don't see what access to toothpaste has anything to do with neurodivergent conditions.

[Retric]

No, he’s assuming some neurodivergent people can’t tolerate brushing.

[giantg2]

The real question is, fluoridated water in the past or not, how is any non-brushing patient being told they're teeth are top tier?

[XajniN]

Brushing is much less important for your teeth than your genetics and/or nutrition.

[giantg2]

Anything to back that up? And even if it's true, the person would logically still not be to tier as the people with good nutrition and genetics who also brush would likely be better.

[foepys]

True. Part of the reason is aggressive saliva that just doesn't let some bacteria live and thus keeps the teeth healthy for longer. Dry mouth is literally damaging your teeth as well.

[mkoubaa]

A dentist sees thousands of patients -a big sample size! Calling it anecdotal evidence is reductive.

[j_maffe]

This isn't an opinion or take given by a dentist, it was given by a patient.

[DFHippie]

It was a patient reporting their dentist's opinion.

[pclmulqdq]

> I don't use a toothbrush or toothpaste, and haven't ever really, as my ASD makes it unbearable.

99% of the world does brush their teeth, so I don't see how this is relevant to their health.

[zouhair]

25% of the world population do not have access to drinkable water[0], brushing their teeth is a luxury for them.

[0]: https://toronto.citynews.ca/2023/03/22/un-26-of-world-lacks-...

[Mystery-Machine]

You see there's a difference between world and Utah/USA. In Utah nearly 100% of the population has access to drinking water.

[heeton]

You need zero water to brush your teeth with toothpaste. Many dentists even say it’s preferable to not rinse your brush before and not rinse your mouth after.

[b2w]

So when you go to brush your teeth you don't wet the toothpaste and toothbrush from the tap? Is it the fear of tap water that centers around this? I am curious about this as it seems the answers carry some cultural significance.

[ixfo]

No - toothpaste is in part an abrasive. If it's wetter, the abrasive is less effective at removing biofilm/plaque, and the chemical components are diluted in situ. Your mouth is plenty wet enough as-is.

[alpaca128]

That implies toothpaste isn't designed with this water dilution in mind, as that is common practice. If I don't wet it beforehand it's too thick and doesn't get distributed as easily.

[zouhair]

They can also just move where water is, right?

[nsonha]

When you do so, which I do too, is the amount of fluoride you potentially swallow more than that in fluoridated water?

[ReptileMan]

do they live in Utah?

[cyanydeez]

No, no they do not. Where do you make up these statistics?

[FollowingTheDao]

Black Tea has an astounding amount of fluoride. You dentist is stupid for only asking where you live and not what you eat and drink.

[mimentum]

As a recent QLD convert thanks for this. I had been wondering why the water up here was so hard.

[quinndexter]

Hi. Check where you actually are located in Qld, because chances are you are fluoridated just fine. https://www.health.qld.gov.au/public-health/industry-environ...

[ViscountPenguin]

Are you in FNQ? Around Brissie and the Goldie we're all flouridated.

I've heard similar rumours about army recruitment in the 80s though.