Do You Think We Need Fluoride In Our Drinking Water?

Fluoride compounds in water may be naturally occurring or added by treatment facilities in an effort to reduce tooth decay. Tooth decay is still a major public health concern in industrialized countries, even with advancements in preventative dental care. Dentists feel that regular brushing and flossing is more helpful than anything, but the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes the fluoridation of public drinking water supplies as one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th Century. Also included on the CDC’s top 10 is “control of infectious diseases”. In the full report, the authors specifically mentioned the control of typhoid and cholera that was achieved by disinfecting public drinking supplies. Other achievements mentioned on the list include vaccination and safer, healthier foods. There is some controversy surrounding all of those subjects. Whether or not today’s foods are safer and healthier than those available in the past is debatable. There has been a growing amount of interest in organics and foods sourced from small local farms, as opposed to mass-produced foods. There have always been critics of the decision to put fluoride in our drinking water. There are potential negative health effects, which may outweigh the possible benefits of tooth decay prevention. The risks are particularly great to senior citizens, people with kidney dysfunctions and people suffering from calcium or magnesium deficiencies. Some consider fluoridation a form of mass medication without consent. The public does not have the ability to choose whether or not to fluoridate. There are critics of vaccinations. One well-known doctor lost his license to practice, because he advised against vaccinating infants. His theory was that vaccinations were associated with autism. If there is a link between the two, it is likely because of a mercury-based preservative which is being phased out of vaccinations meant for children aged three and under. The fluoride in our drinking water may be safer than some popular foods, particularly when a person’s long-term health is considered. Man-made trans-fatty acids, which are found in any foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils have been linked to heart disease, stroke, obesity and cancer. The risk of consuming trans-fats is not debatable. There is no question about it. Yet, the US government allows manufacturers to use the label “zero grams of trans-fats” if the product contains less than one gram per serving. It is really up to the individual to make a decision about the risks of benefits of fluoride compounds in water, just as the individual must decide what he or she will eat every day. We can make efforts to protect our health and the health of our family. We don’t have to rely on the government to protect us. One thing we can do is invest in a good home water purifier.