USA - Letters | Brush up on facts before fluoridating water
Letters | Brush up on facts before fluoridating water
Five years ago, I would have applauded the commentary calling for blanket fluoridation of all communities' water supplies ("A simple step for dental health," Sept. 26). Today, I have reason to take the opposing side. Recent evidence has shown that fluoridation of water supplies has done nothing to cut down on the rate of decay in the United States.
Fluoride acts by making enamel (hydroxyapatite) less soluble in acid (fluorhydroxyapatite). It acts topically. Ingesting fluoride from the water supply distributes it to all organs of the body. The teeth are the only ones that need fluoride. How much gets to the teeth? Not much. Only the fluoride that makes it back to the saliva. Putting fluoride in water to stop decay is like putting sunscreen in water to stop skin cancer.
There have been pockets of testicular cancer in adolescent males in fluoridated areas. There is no federal, or even state, regulation of fluoridation. I would suggest that any interested parties visit www.fluorideaction.net, and read The Fluoride Deception, by Christopher Bryson. Read the treatise of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (http://go.philly.com/Flouride).
Just as most dentists refuse to believe that the mercury in their dental fillings cause health problems, they been led to believe that fluoridated water is beneficial. I would like to see nothing less than a lower incidence of decay in children. After 32 years of practice, it simply hasn't happened. Parents need to take control of their children's diets and oral hygiene; schools need to remove soda and candy machines. Let's not be so cavalier about putting an industrial-waste product into the water supply.
Steve Markus, D.M.D.
Haddon Heights
smarkus147545@comcast.net
Heed the warning
Re "A simple step for dental health," Sept. 26:
Fluoride is a naturally occurring substance in the water, but that does not mean it's not a poison to humans - especially children - at higher levels. We already have fluoride in 99 percent of the manufactured toothpaste we use daily. It's hard to find toothpaste without the ingredient.
The main reason for the reduction of tooth decay in the last 50 years is increased brushing and flossing of teeth. We can thank the dental association for putting the word out about dental hygiene, but please, please, don't put more poisons - even at "acceptable" levels - in our drinking water.
Fluoridated toothpaste is not recommended for children younger than 2 without a doctor's approval. Read the back of tube. My name-brand toothpaste tube ominously says: "Keep out of the reach of children under 6 years of age. If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a poison control center right away." That's scary to even people without small children. I called poison control, and it affirmed that the warnings are there because of the fluoride. What can go wrong: heart and kidney problems, loss of calcium absorption.
I know the dental association is looking out for us, but legislating the addition of fluoride to our public water is not the way to go. Let the people decide, junk science and all. Let the Pennsylvania House know that you are against the forced addition of fluoride to water.
Edward Savaria Jr.
Erdenheim
Five years ago, I would have applauded the commentary calling for blanket fluoridation of all communities' water supplies ("A simple step for dental health," Sept. 26). Today, I have reason to take the opposing side. Recent evidence has shown that fluoridation of water supplies has done nothing to cut down on the rate of decay in the United States.
Fluoride acts by making enamel (hydroxyapatite) less soluble in acid (fluorhydroxyapatite). It acts topically. Ingesting fluoride from the water supply distributes it to all organs of the body. The teeth are the only ones that need fluoride. How much gets to the teeth? Not much. Only the fluoride that makes it back to the saliva. Putting fluoride in water to stop decay is like putting sunscreen in water to stop skin cancer.
There have been pockets of testicular cancer in adolescent males in fluoridated areas. There is no federal, or even state, regulation of fluoridation. I would suggest that any interested parties visit www.fluorideaction.net, and read The Fluoride Deception, by Christopher Bryson. Read the treatise of the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (http://go.philly.com/Flouride).
Just as most dentists refuse to believe that the mercury in their dental fillings cause health problems, they been led to believe that fluoridated water is beneficial. I would like to see nothing less than a lower incidence of decay in children. After 32 years of practice, it simply hasn't happened. Parents need to take control of their children's diets and oral hygiene; schools need to remove soda and candy machines. Let's not be so cavalier about putting an industrial-waste product into the water supply.
Steve Markus, D.M.D.
Haddon Heights
smarkus147545@comcast.net
Heed the warning
Re "A simple step for dental health," Sept. 26:
Fluoride is a naturally occurring substance in the water, but that does not mean it's not a poison to humans - especially children - at higher levels. We already have fluoride in 99 percent of the manufactured toothpaste we use daily. It's hard to find toothpaste without the ingredient.
The main reason for the reduction of tooth decay in the last 50 years is increased brushing and flossing of teeth. We can thank the dental association for putting the word out about dental hygiene, but please, please, don't put more poisons - even at "acceptable" levels - in our drinking water.
Fluoridated toothpaste is not recommended for children younger than 2 without a doctor's approval. Read the back of tube. My name-brand toothpaste tube ominously says: "Keep out of the reach of children under 6 years of age. If more than used for brushing is accidentally swallowed, get medical help or contact a poison control center right away." That's scary to even people without small children. I called poison control, and it affirmed that the warnings are there because of the fluoride. What can go wrong: heart and kidney problems, loss of calcium absorption.
I know the dental association is looking out for us, but legislating the addition of fluoride to our public water is not the way to go. Let the people decide, junk science and all. Let the Pennsylvania House know that you are against the forced addition of fluoride to water.
Edward Savaria Jr.
Erdenheim
posted by Bill at
9:49 AM
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