The other side - letter
LETTER OF THE DAY
In defence of fluoride
On behalf of Canadian dentists, I am writing in response to Dr. W. Gifford-Jones' column, which appeared in your newspaper Jan. 24 under the headline, Fluoride treatment for teeth carries other health risks. I am concerned that the tone of the article leaves an overall negative impression of fluoride and fluoridation.
In fact, fluoride's ability to prevent and halt the cavity process is not only well-established scientifically, but also dramatically apparent in practice. Ask any dentist who has moved from a fluoridated community to one without this benefit and you'll hear some heart-wrenching stories of children with rotted-out teeth.
Of course, water fluoridation is not a complete solution. Fluoride is safely and effectively delivered in a number of ways -- sometimes applied to the surface of the tooth (or topically), as is the case with toothpaste and fluoride treatments -- and sometimes "systemically" as with water fluoridation, to provide ongoing benefits while tooth enamel is forming. This point was overlooked in the article -- whether by accident or by design.
It would be presumptuous to assume that tooth decay is a thing of the past. Recent statistics show that in some regions, cavity rates are actually on the rise, particularly among children. Proper dental hygiene including fluoride toothpaste, a good diet and regular dental visits are equally responsible for keeping dental caries in check.
WAYNE HALSTROM, D.D.S.
President, Canadian Dental Association
Burnaby, B.C.
In defence of fluoride
On behalf of Canadian dentists, I am writing in response to Dr. W. Gifford-Jones' column, which appeared in your newspaper Jan. 24 under the headline, Fluoride treatment for teeth carries other health risks. I am concerned that the tone of the article leaves an overall negative impression of fluoride and fluoridation.
In fact, fluoride's ability to prevent and halt the cavity process is not only well-established scientifically, but also dramatically apparent in practice. Ask any dentist who has moved from a fluoridated community to one without this benefit and you'll hear some heart-wrenching stories of children with rotted-out teeth.
Of course, water fluoridation is not a complete solution. Fluoride is safely and effectively delivered in a number of ways -- sometimes applied to the surface of the tooth (or topically), as is the case with toothpaste and fluoride treatments -- and sometimes "systemically" as with water fluoridation, to provide ongoing benefits while tooth enamel is forming. This point was overlooked in the article -- whether by accident or by design.
It would be presumptuous to assume that tooth decay is a thing of the past. Recent statistics show that in some regions, cavity rates are actually on the rise, particularly among children. Proper dental hygiene including fluoride toothpaste, a good diet and regular dental visits are equally responsible for keeping dental caries in check.
WAYNE HALSTROM, D.D.S.
President, Canadian Dental Association
Burnaby, B.C.
posted by Bill at
9:40 AM
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