You have probably heard a lot of mixed reviews about if fluoride is a good or bad thing for your teeth. Many people have strong opinions on both sides of the argument.
Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in most water supplies. Fluoridation is the adjustment of the natural concentration to about one part to one million parts of water.
Although fluoridation is safe and effective in preventing tooth decay, the scare tactics of misguided poisonmongers have deprived many communities of its benefits. The history of fluoridation in the United States underlines its unique standing as a public health measure copied from a natural phenomenon.
In the early 1900s, Dr. Frederick S. McKay began an almost 30-year search for the cause of the staining of teeth that was prevalent in Colorado, where he practiced dentistry. In his investigation, McKay found the condition common in other states, including Texas, where it was known as "Texas teeth."
In 1928, he concluded that such teeth, although stained, showed "a singular absence of decay," and that both the staining and the decay resistance were caused by something in the water. In 1931, the "something" was identified as fluoride.
The Public Health Service then took over to determine precisely what amount in the water would prevent decay without causing staining. Years of "shoeleather epidemiology" by Dr. H. Trendley Dean traced the dental status of 7,000 children who drank naturally fluoridated water in 21 cities in four states.
In 1943, he reported that the ideal amount of was one part per million parts of water. This concentration was demonstrated to result in healthy, attractive teeth that had one-third as many cavities as might otherwise be expected-and no staining.
The next step was to determine whether water engineering could copy nature's amazing dental health benefit. At several test sites, the fluoride concentration of the public water supply was adjusted to one part per million.
One such test was conducted in the neighboring cities of Newburgh and Kingston, New York. First, the children in both cities were examined by dentists and physicians; then it was added to Newburgh's water supply.
After ten years, the children of Newburgh had 58% fewer decayed teeth than those of nonfluoridated Kingston. The greatest benefits were obtained by children who had drunk the fluoridated water since birth.
Other studies showed that teeth made stronger by it during childhood would remain permanently resistant to decay. As the evidence supporting it accrued, thousands of communities acted to obtain its benefits.
Too much can cause dental fluorosis, which, in its mildest form, causes small, white, virtually invisible opaque areas on teeth. In severe form, fluorosis results in brownish mottling.
However, dental fluorosis is not caused by artificial fluoridation, because the levels are kept low enough to avoid this effect. In recent years, it has been reducing the incidence of cavities 20% to 40% in children and 15% to 35% in adults.
The reduction is less than it used to be, probably due to improved dental hygiene and widespread use of fluoride toothpaste. Currently, more than 140 million Americans live in fluoridated communities.
But 80 million others receive public water supplies that are not fluoridated-thanks largely to the efforts of poisonmongers. The antifluoridationists' ("antis") basic technique is the big lie.
Made infamous by Hitler, it is simple to use, yet surprisingly effective. It consists of claiming that fluoridation causes cancer, heart and kidney disease, and other serious ailments that people fear.
The fact that there is no supporting evidence for such claims does not matter. The trick is to keep repeating them-because if something is said often enough, people tend to think there must be some truth to it.
A variation of the big lie is the laundry list. List enough "evils," and even if proponents can reply to some of them, they will never be able to cover the entire list.
This technique is most effective in debates, letters to the editor, and television news reports. Another variation is the simple statement that fluoridation doesn't work.
Although recent studies show less difference than there used to be in decay rates between fluoridated and nonfluoridated communities, the benefit is still substantial. In fact, the Public Health Service estimates that every dollar spent for community use saves about fifty dollars in dental bills.
Do your own research, and talk to your dentist about their opinion. You never know the positive difference it could make in your teeth!
Author Resource:-
Jack Landry is a formal dental hygienist and has authored hundreds of articles relating to dental practice and procedures, and recommends this Bakersfield, CA Dentist.
Contact Info:
Jack R. Landry
JackRLandry@gmail.com
http://www. bakersfieldsmiledesign.com
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