Fluoride and Drinking Water
Submitted By George Hayner
    
     Most dentists agree that fluoridated water helps prevent tooth decay. Today, two-thirds of US cities and towns fluoridate their water. Fluoridation could turn out to be one of the top 10 mistakes of the 21st century.
    
     In March of this year The National Research Council (NRC) determined that the level of fluoride allowed in community drinking water in this country is too high. The panel found that children who consume water containing the highest level of fluoride permitted by the EPA might actually be damaging their teeth; there was even a hint that it might depress IQ. That consuming water with that amount of fluoride over a lifetime could weaken bones and increase the risk of facture. A Harvard University study suggested that fluoridated water could cause rare form of bone cancer in young boys.

     Adding fluoride to the drinking water may have made sense at one time, but is unnecessary now because it is available in other forms, such as toothpaste, rinses, tablets, and other dental products. However, most dental researchers today agree that throughout our lives, fluoride works best when it’s applied directly to the teeth, where it not only shores up dental enamel but also shields it from damaging acid produced by bacteria in the mouth. About one - quarter of children are swallowing twice as much fluoride as they should be. They found that kids that grew up drinking fluoridated water had just 18% less tooth decay than the other children. .

    Whether you’re in favor of fluoridated water or not, it makes sense to know how much fluoride you’re getting from all sources and consider limiting your exposure.

Reference:   National Research Council (NRC)
                   Harvard University
                   University of Toronto
                   Kropp,PhD of the Environmental Working Group, Washington
                   Brian Burt PhD of the University of Michigan