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Fluoride is a chemical that occurs naturally in the earth’s crust and is added to drinking water in the U.S. to help prevent tooth decay. While fluoride has been touted as a safe and effective method of reducing cavities, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that fluoride may pose significant health risks to people who consume it. This leads one to ponder whether the benefits outweigh the risks involved.
Dangers of Fluoride:
- Dental Fluorosis: One of the most common side effects of excessive fluoride consumption is dental fluorosis. Dental fluorosis is a condition that causes white streaks or brown spots to appear on teeth, and in severe cases, it can cause tooth enamel to become pitted and discolored. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 40% of adolescents in the U.S. have some form of dental fluorosis.
- Skeletal Fluorosis: Another potential danger of fluoride is skeletal fluorosis, a condition that occurs when fluoride builds up in the bones and causes them to become brittle and more susceptible to fracture. While this condition is rare in the U.S., it has been documented in areas where drinking water contains high levels of fluoride, such as in China and India.
- Thyroid Dysfunction: Fluoride has also been linked to thyroid dysfunction, including hypothyroidism, which occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. A study conducted by the National Research Council found that fluoride can disrupt thyroid function at levels that are commonly found in drinking water.
- Neurotoxicity: Some studies have suggested that fluoride may have neurotoxic effects, particularly in children. A review of 27 studies conducted by researchers at Harvard University found that fluoride exposure may be associated with lower IQ scores in children.
- Increased Risk of Cancer: A number of studies have suggested that fluoride may increase the risk of cancer, particularly bone cancer. A study conducted by the National Toxicology Program found that male rats exposed to high levels of fluoride had an increased incidence of osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer.
While there is no doubt that fluoride can help prevent tooth decay, there is growing evidence that suggests that fluoride may pose significant health risks to people who consume it. As a result, many communities in the U.S. are choosing to remove fluoride from their drinking water, and the debate over the safety of fluoride continues.
If your township or community insists that fluoride must be added to the water supply for that community, the residents really should involve themselves by going to town/city council meetings and question their community representatives about this practice. On the face of this, it seems that the potential harms far outweigh the benefits from fewer cavities. Cavities can be avoided by simply eliminating sugar from ones diet, and proper dental hygiene practices, there’s no need to add a harmful substance for this purpose.
A Bit of History About Fluoride in Our Drinking Water:
History of Water Fluoridation in the United States: The idea of water fluoridation was first proposed in the 1940s. In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first city in the United States to add fluoride to its public water supply. The results were promising, and other cities soon followed suit. By the 1950s, water fluoridation had become a common practice throughout the country.
The Implementation Process: The implementation of water fluoridation varied from city to city. In some cases, city councils voted to add fluoride to the public water supply. In other cases, state governments mandated the implementation of water fluoridation programs. The process involved adding fluoride to the water at a specific concentration to ensure that it was effective at preventing tooth decay while also minimizing any potential health risks.
Controversies Surrounding Water Fluoridation: Despite the widespread adoption of water fluoridation, it has remained a controversial practice. Some people have raised concerns about the potential health risks associated with consuming fluoride. In high doses, fluoride can be toxic and can cause dental fluorosis, a condition that affects tooth enamel. Some studies have also suggested that fluoride consumption may be linked to an increased risk of cancer and other health problems.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement against water fluoridation. Some communities have voted to remove fluoride from their water supplies, citing concerns about its safety and effectiveness.
Sources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Community Water Fluoridation. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/fluoridation/index.html
- National Research Council. (2006). Fluoride in Drinking Water: A Scientific Review of EPA’s Standards. Retrieved from https://www.nap.edu/catalog/11571/fluoride-in-drinking-water-a-scientific-review-of-epas-standards
- Choi, A. L., Sun, G., Zhang, Y., & Grandjean, P. (2012). Developmental fluoride neurotoxicity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Environmental Health Perspectives, 120(10), 1362-1368.
- National Toxicology Program. (1990). Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Sodium Fluoride in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice. Retrieved from https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/htdocs/lt_rpts/tr393.pdf
- Harvard School of Public Health. (2012). Impact of Fluoride on Neurological Development in Children. Retrieved from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/fluoride-childrens-health-grandjean-choi/