Is Fluoride Addition in Water Good?
Obviously, good parents want their children to have strong teeth. Yet, in spite of the improvements in dental care in recent years, a quarter of two to five year olds and half of children 12-15 have had one or more cavities. Further 2/3 of 16- to 19-year-olds have had dental problems. To counteract this, many suggest that adding fluoride to public water will help. Others say it will do more harm than good.
Fluorine in various compounds may be found naturally in water. In fact, it is the 13th most common element in the Earth’s crust. The question is, when fluoride is not found naturally in water, should it be added? Studies have been made for decades and will continue. The purpose of this article is to consider both views and then present options.
Consider these quotes: “It is well known that fluoride helps prevent and even reverse the early stages of tooth decay.” “Today, water fluoridation is estimated to reduce tooth decay by 20-40%.” These statements were made by a medical doctor. Here’s another: “For over 60 years, water fluoridation has proved to be a safe and cost-effective way to reduce dental caries.”
Those favoring the addition of fluoride in water claim that its presence combats tooth decay in two ways. First, it strengthens the developing teeth. Second, it also aids the surface of the teeth by preventing the acid produced by the bacteria in plaque from dissolving, or demineralizing, tooth enamel. Fluoride also allows teeth damaged by acid to remineralize, or repair themselves. It won’t repair cavities, but it can reverse minor tooth decay and prevent new cavities from forming.
The other side makes statements like these: “. . . there is no difference in the tooth decay rates of the fluoridated and nonfluoridated areas surveyed.” They even claim that increased amount of fluoride in children also increases tooth decay.
Too much fluoride during the teeth developing years can cause enamel fluorosis, a mottling or discoloration of the permanent teeth. To add fluoride to water, along with toothpaste and treatments can exceed the maximum level that is safe.
Fluoride poisoning is accompanied by vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, increased salivation, or increased thirst. Symptoms can last up to 24 hours but appear within 30 minutes after ingestion.
At times the studies have not considered the long range effects of fluoride. The con side says it has been directly linked to cancer, changes in bone structure and strength, has caused birth defects and perinatal deaths, has impaired the immune system, caused initial stages of skeletal fluorosis, caused osteoarthritis, inhibits key enzymes, suppresses thyroid function and several other adverse problems.
What about the studies mentioned above proving that fluoride is good for dental hygiene? Opponents point out the studies had several flaws. First, they did not consider other minerals in the water that could have been the cause of decreased instances of tooth decay. Second, they did not consider the differences between “natural fluoride” (like CaF) and added fluoride (like NaF). Third, the conclusion had little or no statistical analysis. Fourth, it included no safety experiments except for dental fluorosis.
If you agree with the con side, what can you do if fluoride is added to your water? You could buy bottled water but this option has many drawbacks. Better, buy a water filter that promises to remove the fluoride. Some promise this optionally. For example, the Berkey has an optional fluoride filter that can be attached to the regular gravity filter rods. Don’t feel you have to drink fluoride in your water if you don’t want it.