Obviously, good parents want their children to have strong teeth. Yet, in spite of the improvements in dental care in recent years, a quarter of two to five year olds and half of children 12-15 have had one or more cavities. Further 2/3 of 16- to 19-year-olds have had dental problems. To counteract this, many suggest that adding fluoride to public water will help. Others say it will do more harm than good.

Fluoride exists naturally in water and is the 13th most common element in the Earth's crust. Some water has sufficient natural quantities. What should be done when it is not naturally present? Should water systems add fluoride to the supply? The debate has been going on for decades and won't end here. Many factors are involved in this discussion. The purpose here is to consider a few of these, and to give you some options.

The pro side says, "For over 60 years, water fluoridation has proved to be a safe and cost-effective way to reduce dental caries." "It is well known that fluoride helps prevent and even reverse the early stages of tooth decay." "Today, water fluoridation is estimated to reduce tooth decay by 20-40%." These quotes come from an MD.

Those favoring the addition of fluoride in water claim that its presence combats tooth decay in two ways. First, it strengthens the developing teeth. Second, it also aids the surface of the teeth by preventing the acid produced by the bacteria in plaque from dissolving, or demineralizing, tooth enamel. Fluoride also allows teeth damaged by acid to remineralize, or repair themselves. It won't repair cavities, but it can reverse minor tooth decay and prevent new cavities from forming.

On the other hand we have quotes like this: ". . . there is no difference in the tooth decay rates of the fluoridated and nonfluoridated areas surveyed." Indeed, some studies, they say, show that the more fluoride children ingest, the higher their risk of dental decay.

Too much fluoride before 8 years of age, a time when teeth are developing, can cause enamel fluorosis, a discoloration or mottling of the permanent teeth. Sometimes the amount of fluoride ingested from the water and then through toothpaste and dental treatments can be too much.

Symptoms of fluoride toxicity may begin 30 minutes after an overdose and last up to 24 hours. These symptoms include increased thirst, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or increased salivation.

At times the studies have not considered the long range effects of fluoride. The con side says it has been directly linked to cancer, changes in bone structure and strength, has caused birth defects and perinatal deaths, has impaired the immune system, caused initial stages of skeletal fluorosis, caused osteoarthritis, inhibits key enzymes, suppresses thyroid function and several other adverse problems.

How do opponents answer to evidence mentioned above that fluoride is good for dental hygiene? They say the studies are flawed in several ways. First, the studies did not consider the fact that other minerals were in the water and they might have been the real factor in decreased instances of tooth decay. Second, they failed to differentiate between "natural fluoride" (like CaF) and added fluoride (like NaF). Third, the studies lacked statistical proof. Fourth, only dental fluorosis was included as safety experiments.

If your conclusion from these points is that fluoride should not be in your drinking water, what can you if it is? Some opt for bottled water but this gets expensive. A better alternative is to purchase a water filter that removes fluoride. Some expensive units do this. Other less expensive units have optional fluoride filters. The Berkey, for example, has available an additional filter that can we attached below the regular charcoal filters and will remove fluoride from the water. If you don't want fluoride, you don't have to drink it.

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Many argue the pros and cons of injecting fluoride into water systems. The ones wanting it removed can purchase optional fluoride filter for their Berkey Water Filters.

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