Fluoride is an ionic compound derived from fluorine, the most reactive of all elements. Water fluoridation is the addition of chemical fluoride to public water supplies, for the purpose of reducing cavities. Fluoride was first added to public water supplies in 1945, and now, about two thirds of the U.S. population use fluoridated public water (CDC). Unlike any other water treatment process, fluoridation does not treat the water itself, but rather the person consuming it. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that fluoride is a drug, not a nutrient. The term “mass medication” describes a procedure used to deliver medication to a population, rather than individuals. Therefore, by definition, fluoridating water is a form of
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Today’s regulations on fluoridation of water violate this definition in several areas. First, fluoride levels in water are often determined, approved, and delivered by people without medical qualifications. Then, it is delivered to everyone, regardless of age, health or nutritional status. In order for a person to be “competent” they must retain a mental capacity great enough to reason and deliberate, hold appropriate values and goals, appreciate their circumstances, understand information they are given and communicate an informed choice (Buchanan, 2004). Certainly not all people who utilize the public water supply, children or mentally disabled people for example, will meet this criteria. Also, because fluoride is in drinking water the dosage cannot be controlled, and because some people, those with kidney problems for instance, take in a greater amount of water on average, this population is increasing their daily intake of fluoride to potentially dangerous levels. Finally, the safety and effectiveness of fluoridated water has never been demonstrated by a randomized controlled trial-which is todays “gold standard” study that is employed and generally required before a drug can be put on the market. Without these randomized controlled trials it is …show more content…
Tooth enamel is primarily made up of hydroxyapatite, a crystal composed of calcium, hydrogen, oxygen, and phosphorus. By replacing the hydroxyl molecule on hydroxyapatite, fluoride makes the enamel more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria; this is how fluoride works to protect teeth (University of Waikato). However, how much fluoride protects teeth is still unclear. Research over the last fifteen years has shown that fluoride primarily works topically, such as when it is applied to the teeth in a fluoride-toothpaste. When left untreated, tooth decay can lead to serious health problems such as infections that can spread into the jaw. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tooth decay has declined in the U.S. since fluoridation began. However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) it has also declined, at a similar rate, in countries that do not fluoridate their public water
Today’s regulations on fluoridation of water violate this definition in several areas. First, fluoride levels in water are often determined, approved, and delivered by people without medical qualifications. Then, it is delivered to everyone, regardless of age, health or nutritional status. In order for a person to be “competent” they must retain a mental capacity great enough to reason and deliberate, hold appropriate values and goals, appreciate their circumstances, understand information they are given and communicate an informed choice (Buchanan, 2004). Certainly not all people who utilize the public water supply, children or mentally disabled people for example, will meet this criteria. Also, because fluoride is in drinking water the dosage cannot be controlled, and because some people, those with kidney problems for instance, take in a greater amount of water on average, this population is increasing their daily intake of fluoride to potentially dangerous levels. Finally, the safety and effectiveness of fluoridated water has never been demonstrated by a randomized controlled trial-which is todays “gold standard” study that is employed and generally required before a drug can be put on the market. Without these randomized controlled trials it is …show more content…
Tooth enamel is primarily made up of hydroxyapatite, a crystal composed of calcium, hydrogen, oxygen, and phosphorus. By replacing the hydroxyl molecule on hydroxyapatite, fluoride makes the enamel more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria; this is how fluoride works to protect teeth (University of Waikato). However, how much fluoride protects teeth is still unclear. Research over the last fifteen years has shown that fluoride primarily works topically, such as when it is applied to the teeth in a fluoride-toothpaste. When left untreated, tooth decay can lead to serious health problems such as infections that can spread into the jaw. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tooth decay has declined in the U.S. since fluoridation began. However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) it has also declined, at a similar rate, in countries that do not fluoridate their public water