Water fluoridation is an addition of the chemical fluoride to public water supplies, for the purpose of reducing cavities. Fluoridation is the addition of small quantities of fluoride to public water supplies. It is a kind of mass medication and the only chemical added to water in quantities over that of naturally occurring water. A small quantity this chemical does not have any significant negative effects on our body, however over consumption can make it poisonous and in severe cases can be proves deadly. Some countries chose fluoridation of natural water to a level where they consider it to be safe. About two - thirds of the U.S. population drink not has fluoridated public water, “Community Water Fluoridation”. Of those served by community
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The U.S. Task Force on Community Preventive Services combined 21 such studies and came up with the conclusion that fluoridation is a preventive measure which helped reduce tooth decay, according to McDonough M, Whiting P, Bradley M, et al. Moreover, some health organizations around the world consider fluoridation to be one of the best interventions in 100 years of medical advancement (1900 - 1999), with the Center for Disease control (CDC) claiming that fluoridation reduced rates of tooth decay among children by about 40-70 %, according to the Burt BA, Eklund SA. They also claim that this has led to taxpayers saving on 40 billion dollars over 40 years that would have otherwise been spent on dental costs. Fluoridation by contrast is far cheaper and costs the taxpayers an average of just 50 cents per person/per year, according to the Truman. However, these costs vary largely from state to state and go up to $1 or more depending on availability of fluoride and the systems used to measure and regulate it. Comparing that to the costs of just one dental filling shows that fluoridating water costs lesser over the lifetime of a person then getting a filling done which is expected to last, an average of 12 years (Colgate).
As we see, surely there is a positive side to fluoridation but, let’s see the flip side of this problem. There is much research pointing to its success in helping to reduce cavities and dental diseases, …show more content…
When applied directly to the teeth (in dental products such as toothpaste), “…it not only shores up dental enamel but also shields it from damaging acid produced by bacteria in the mouth” according to the Gower, Timothy. When fluoride is ingested—through our water supply--it affects the whole body, not just our teeth. About half the fluoride we swallow exists through our urine, then the remainder gets deposited in our bones and teeth. The deposits accumulate over time. A common side effect of consuming too much fluoride is a condition called fluorosis. Fluorosis is brown staining on the permanent teeth. The Center for Disease Control considers fluorosis a simple cosmetic disorder, yet the disorder also pits the enamel, increasing the risk of cavities. “As of 2010, 41 percent of kids ages 12 to 15 had some form of dental fluorosis” (live science). Fluoride decreases bone strength, increasing the risk of bone fractures. It also increases the risk of skeletal fluorosis, a painful disease that stiffens the joints. Recent research has shown other side effects from fluoride. Studies in China have linked fluoride to lower IQ (Cornett). In her research, Phyllis Mullenis, Ph.D. concluded that fluoride had the “potential for motor dysfunction, IQ deficits and/or learning disabilities in humans. A “government-funded animal study found a dose dependent increase in bone cancer (osteosarcoma) in fluoride-treated,
The U.S. Task Force on Community Preventive Services combined 21 such studies and came up with the conclusion that fluoridation is a preventive measure which helped reduce tooth decay, according to McDonough M, Whiting P, Bradley M, et al. Moreover, some health organizations around the world consider fluoridation to be one of the best interventions in 100 years of medical advancement (1900 - 1999), with the Center for Disease control (CDC) claiming that fluoridation reduced rates of tooth decay among children by about 40-70 %, according to the Burt BA, Eklund SA. They also claim that this has led to taxpayers saving on 40 billion dollars over 40 years that would have otherwise been spent on dental costs. Fluoridation by contrast is far cheaper and costs the taxpayers an average of just 50 cents per person/per year, according to the Truman. However, these costs vary largely from state to state and go up to $1 or more depending on availability of fluoride and the systems used to measure and regulate it. Comparing that to the costs of just one dental filling shows that fluoridating water costs lesser over the lifetime of a person then getting a filling done which is expected to last, an average of 12 years (Colgate).
As we see, surely there is a positive side to fluoridation but, let’s see the flip side of this problem. There is much research pointing to its success in helping to reduce cavities and dental diseases, …show more content…
When applied directly to the teeth (in dental products such as toothpaste), “…it not only shores up dental enamel but also shields it from damaging acid produced by bacteria in the mouth” according to the Gower, Timothy. When fluoride is ingested—through our water supply--it affects the whole body, not just our teeth. About half the fluoride we swallow exists through our urine, then the remainder gets deposited in our bones and teeth. The deposits accumulate over time. A common side effect of consuming too much fluoride is a condition called fluorosis. Fluorosis is brown staining on the permanent teeth. The Center for Disease Control considers fluorosis a simple cosmetic disorder, yet the disorder also pits the enamel, increasing the risk of cavities. “As of 2010, 41 percent of kids ages 12 to 15 had some form of dental fluorosis” (live science). Fluoride decreases bone strength, increasing the risk of bone fractures. It also increases the risk of skeletal fluorosis, a painful disease that stiffens the joints. Recent research has shown other side effects from fluoride. Studies in China have linked fluoride to lower IQ (Cornett). In her research, Phyllis Mullenis, Ph.D. concluded that fluoride had the “potential for motor dysfunction, IQ deficits and/or learning disabilities in humans. A “government-funded animal study found a dose dependent increase in bone cancer (osteosarcoma) in fluoride-treated,