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FLUORIDE: FACTS AND FICTION
Joanne P. Wellman, RDH, MPH
Does water fluoridation cause a decrease in bone health? No.
Do studies show an increase in cancer rates in communities where fluoride is added to the
drinking water? No.
Is dental fluorosis
or mottling of the teeth the first visible sign of fluoride poisoning in
children? No.
Is fluoride a poison?
No.
Is fluoride an enzyme
poison-does it inhibit the activity of enzymes in humans? No.
Are there harmful contaminants in the fluorides used for water fluoridation?No.
Is the cumulative effect of exposure
to fluoride from water, air, toothpaste, and foods prepared with fluoridated water
dangerous over a lifetime?No.
Is adjusted water
fluoridation considered more harmful than naturally occurring fluoridation? No..
Is fluoridated water harmful to fish?No.
Has "industrial grade"
fluoride been tested for safety and effectiveness? Yes.
Are fluorides used to fluoridate water supplies a
waste product of the phosphate fertilizer industry and
aluminum manufacturing industries? No.
Does water containing 1.0 ppm fluoride contain
poisonous amounts of fluoride after boiling? No.
Are fluorides
approved
by the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)? Not
Required.
Can the fluoridation of public water supplies be documented as a scientifically proven method in the
reduction of dental caries? Yes.
Does the fluoridation of public water supplies target
the group which would benefit the most from its addition,
namely infants and young children under the age of 12, and does it have any
known benefit for adults?Yes.
Does fluoridation constitute experimentation
on humans without their consent. No..
Is fluoridation compulsory
mass medication? Is everyone compelled to drink fluoridated water? No.
Are there legal ramifications
for mandating the use of an "untested" product for public consumption?
No..
Is water fluoridation a cost-effective
means to prevent tooth decay? Yes
Is fluoridation considered wasteful
because a small proportion of the water goes for human consumption?No.
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