Fluoride has been added to many cities’ water supplies to prevent dental caries since the 1940’s. The EPA has determined that water fluoridation of community water systems of 0.7 to 1.2 ppm is safe and effectively prevents tooth decay. The addition of fluoride to drinking water has come under attack today because people are exposed to fluoride from many sources, because scientists disagree about the health effects caused by higher levels of fluoride, and because dental caries can be prevented with the use of fluoride toothpaste.
First of all, people are concerned that they may be getting a dangerous over-consumption of fluoride because it is found in foods and beverages manufactured with fluoridated water, natural foods like tea and seafood, fluoridated toothpaste and rinses, and the environment. Fluoride from these different sources adds up. Critics claim that the addition of fluoride to drinking water is unnecessary and leads to high levels of fluoride exposure.
Secondly, scientists disagree about the effects of fluoride on the body. The CDC recognizes that drinking or eating excessive fluoride during the time teeth are being formed (birth to 8years old) can cause dental fluorosis, a disease that can cause the surface of the teeth to be discolored, pitted, or weakened. Because of this risk, very young children should not use fluoride toothpaste, and children under the age of 8 should only use a “pea” size amount. The CDC also recognizes that high, long term exposure to fluoride can lead to skeletal fluorosis, which is a disease that causes dense bones, joint pain, and a limited range of motion. This disease is not common in the United States. Only 5 cases have been reported in the last 30 years. Studies conducted by other research groups have shown a possible link between water fluoridation and bone cancer in males. Another study showed that male lab rats developed bone cancer and decreased fertility after drinking water with high levels of fluoride during their lifetimes. A study in China shows a possible link between high levels of fluoride in drinking water and birth defects, Down syndrome, low IQ scores, and chromosome damage. One study found a link between high levels of fluoride in drinking water and thyroid function. Presently, the CDC and the National Research Council do not find the results in any of these studies to be conclusive. The National Cancer Institute states that there is no relationship between cancer in humans and fluoride in drinking water. Even so, many people disapprove of putting fluoride in our drinking water. The side effect that is most distressing to me is the possibility that added fluoride in water may be a factor in the rise of hypothyroidism. My aunt suffers from hypothyroidism and must take Synthroid every day to control it. Even with the medicine, she has fatigue and constant muscle and joint pain. One study of the Department of Health found that fluoride exposure in communities with fluoridated water to be between 1.6 to 6.6 mg/day, and the range of fluoride which causes a decrease in thyroid function is 2.3 to 4.5 mg/day. It is very possible that fluoridated water, combined with fluoride from other sources, is lowering thyroid function. Click here for more information about fluoride and health . Click here for 50 reasons fluoride use is in question.
Thirdly, the fluoride toothpaste has greatly lowered the amounts of dental decay in our society. Critics believe that there is no need to fluoridate water supplies to prevent dental caries because of the invention of fluoride toothpaste in the 1960’s. Before fluoride could be widely used in toothpastes and mouthwashes, the formulation of all of the ingredients had to be compatible with each other so that each component could do its job without interference. The problem chemists faced was that the abrasive compounds in the toothpaste trapped the fluoride and did not allow it to become soluble. For fluoride to work, it needs to be released into the saliva during brushing. Chemists found that stannous fluoride could be paired with calcium pyrophosphate without adversely affecting the solubility of the fluoride. Sodium fluoride can be paired with hydrated silica and not hinder sodium fluoride dissociation. These technological advances allowed fluoride to be added successfully to toothpaste and mouthwash. Fluoridated toothpaste, when used consistently in a dental care program, has significantly lowered the number of dental caries. Click here for more information about fluoride toothpaste. Click here for a history of toothpaste.
In conclusion, based on the research to date, I believe that fluoride should continue to be added to the drinking water. The level of fluoride needed to promote dental health is considered safe by the EPA. Fluoridated drinking water is one certain way to ensure that people of all socioeconomic groups, especially poor children, get the fluoride they need for healthy teeth. Not everyone can afford dental care which is usually not covered under most insurance plans. The CDC recognizes community water fluoridation as one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. The fear of over-consumption of fluoride can be reduced with the proper use of dental products that contain high levels of fluoride. Presently, the CDC only recognizes dental fluorosis as the main health risk of over exposure to fluoride, which can prevented by proper use of fluoride toothpaste. Click here for more information about fluoridated water supplies.
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