Rocks to Rinses: A Brief History of Fluoride

Today, fluoride is a familiar part of daily life. It’s in our toothpaste, our mouth rinses, and even in many public water systems. But fluoride didn’t become a staple of modern life overnight. Its history stretches back more than a century and has played a major role in modern dentistry ever since. Here’s a quick look back on the history of fluoride and how it went from a mystery mineral to a household name over the years.

The Clues in Colorado

In the early 1900s, a dentist from the East Coast named Dr. Frederick McKay moved to Colorado Springs to open his practice. There, he noticed something unusual. Many of his patients had brown stains on their teeth, almost like chocolate, but they had far fewer cavities than expected.

With a medical mystery on his hands, Dr. McKay teamed up with Dr. G.V. Black, a renowned dental researcher. Together, they eventually traced the source of these stains to the local water supply.

H.V. Churchill, owner of the Aluminum Company of America, got wind of the discovery of the brown stains. Worried that it might be aluminum in the water, he had his team run tests. The company discovered that where the brown stains occurred, there were also high levels of fluoride in the water supply.

Sharing this with Dr. McKay, the mystery of the brown stains was solved, but new questions arose.

Fluoride Research Begins

In 1931, Dr. H. Trendley Dean, head of the Dental Hygiene Unit at the National Institute of Health (NIH), began researching the findings of Dr. McKay. The discovery of water-borne fluoride led Dean to wonder whether smaller, controlled amounts of the mineral could help protect teeth from cavities without causing stains.

After nearly a decade of study, Dean’s research paid off. In 1944, the City Commission of Grand Rapids, Michigan, voted to add the recommended levels of fluoride to its water. Dean continued to study the results, becoming the head of the National Institute of Dental Research.

In 1959, he discovered that the rate of cavities in schoolchildren in Grand Rapids had decreased by over 60 percent.

Fluoride and Modern Dentistry

As fluoride’s benefits became more widely known, it was added to more water supplies, toothpaste, and preventive dental treatments. Today, fluoride has become the main weapon to combat tooth decay in children and adults alike. When used in the correct amounts, it can strengthen enamel and keep teeth healthy for many years.

From mystery stains in Colorado to an essential part of preventive care, fluoride has come a long way. Its history shows how science and public health can work together to provide a common good for everyone.

About the Practice

At Ellicott City Smiles Dental Group, we’re passionate about prevention, from routine checkups to fluoride treatments that help protect your smile for years to come. Our friendly team uses modern dental technology and techniques to keep all of our patients comfortable, informed, and confident about their oral health. Call (410) 465-3224 to schedule an appointment with our friendly team or visit our website to see a full menu of services.