logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2024
30m 7s

Why do we use fluoride on our teeth?

Melissa and Jam, Bleav
About this episode
Chances are you've heard the word "fluoride" said in reference to your teeth. At the dentists office, on your bottle of mouthwash, maybe you've heard it's in tap water? But what is it, what's so special about it, and how does it help our teeth? Does it make them whiter, stronger, or what? Let's find out. 
Up next
Yesterday
Why do diet coke and mentos do that thing?
#044 You know what we're talking about. That spectacular fizzy geyser. This week, Melissa and Jam explore what makes diet coke and mentos go crazy together. Is it love? Is it hate? Is it chemistry? Why diet coke specifically? Or more importantly, why mentos? Let's get into it. Su ... Show More
31m 9s
Jul 23
Why do people hate organic chemistry?
#135 Rebroadcast Well guess what, Melissa is a PhD Doctor now! And you know what that means? She gets to tell us more details about the research she did to get her PhD. Listen to hear what Melissa found as she dove deep into the question "Why do people hate organic chemistry?" fo ... Show More
53m 24s
Jul 20
What if the system needs fixing instead of the students? (BCCE 2026)
What if the biggest challenge in chemistry education isn’t helping students survive—but helping them thrive? In this final bonus episode of our BCCE Community Conversation series, Melissa talks with Dr. Leyte Winfield about creating learning environments where students feel like ... Show More
28m 49s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2021
76. Is Stannous Fluoride the Unicorn of Fluorides?
In this episode, we'll analyze the science surrounding stannous fluoride and Sodium Fluoride. We'll evaluate why stannous fluoride is a particularly powerful fluoride. Remember when you were in dental school and you had a cariology course? I mean I don't know about you, but a ver ... Show More
57m 6s
Aug 2009
Is fluoride making us stupid?
<p>Fluoride is a common additive in toothpaste and the water supply of some countries. It's purportedly good for dental health, but some evidence suggests that it's actually harmful. Discover the dark side of fluoride in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.</p><p> </p> Learn more ... Show More
26m 36s
Apr 2025
Is Fluoride in Our Drinking Water Safe?
The decades-long practice of adding fluoride to drinking water is under fire. On this week’s Paging Dr. Gupta, we're sinking our teeth into the latest science, and what that means for you or your family’s dental health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a ... Show More
14m 45s
Jun 2025
Ep 178 Fluoride 1: The real tooth fairy
Is it just us, or does it seem like every other week there’s a new headline about some state or town banning water fluoridation? As it turns out, this has been going on for decades, basically since fluoride was first introduced. Why are some people opposed to fluoride? Is there a ... Show More
1h 2m
Aug 2024
Fluoridation in Water (Part 1)
It’s everywhere, but should it be? This episode features audio from: Why Is There Fluoride in Water? Is It Effective? Side Effects of Water Fluoridation: Dental Fluorosis Is Water Fluoridation Safe? Visit the video pages for all sources and doctor’s notes related to this podcast. 
14m 39s
Jun 2025
Ep 179 Fluoride 2: Fighting tooth and nail
In last week’s episode, we traced the history of fluoridation (and the anti-fluoridation movement) to its roots in the early 20th century, but we left you wondering whether there’s anything to back up the health claims that anti-fluoridationists make. Today, we get deep into the ... Show More
1h 3m
Aug 2020
Fluoride Pt. 1
Nearly three out of four U.S. communities add fluoride to their water. Officially, the compound strengthens teeth and helps prevent cavities—but recent studies have suggested it might increase cancer risks and lower IQ. Is fluoridated water a medical marvel, or a poison? And why ... Show More
51m 7s
Apr 2025
Fluoride: Is Your Water Safe?
The battle over whether we should be putting fluoride in our water has reached fever pitch. We’ve got U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and anti-fluoride activists saying it’s a neurotoxin that’s lowering our IQs. But supporters say that fluoride is a safe and effective ... Show More
40m 23s
Sep 2018
Fluorine
Chemist Andrea Sella tells the story of how the feared element ended up giving us better teeth, mood and health.Many chemists have lost their lives trying to isolate the periodic table’s most chemically reactive element – hence the nickname “the tiger of chemistry”. Fluorine can ... Show More
26m 28s