What is That Fluoride Stuff?
Caroline Cronk
1. Why do some people disapprove of adding fluoride to drinking water?
2. What would your position be on adding fluoride to drinking water and why?
3. What technological advances in toothpaste had to be made before fluoride could be widely used in toothpaste and mouthwashes?
4. What side effects of using fluoride in drinking water are of most concern to you? Why?
1. Some people disapprove of fluoride being added to our drinking water because of the dangers that fluoride has. Fluoride is a form of the element fluorine. It’s found naturally in many water supplies around the world, including the Unites States. A different form of fluoride is added to about half of the water supplies in the country for dental health. Most health experts agree that constant, low levels of fluoride help prevent tooth decay. No serious research efforts were undertaken until about 1902. In June 1998, the Gallup organization conducted a national survey of just over 1,000 adults on their attitudes toward community water fluoridation. When asked, “Do you believe community water should be fluorted?,” 70% answered “Yes”, 18% answered “No”, and 12% responded “I don’t know”.
2. I think that we not should add fluoride into our drinking water. I think this because of a few reasons such as, fluoride is not an essential nutrient such as hydrogen or oxygen which is already in our drinking water. Another reason why I think that we should not add fluoride into our drinking water is because there have been numerous recent reports of dental crises in US cities which have been fluoridated for over 20 years. There appears to be a far greater relationship between tooth decay and income level than with water fluoride levels. These are just a few reasons why I don’t think that we should add fluoride to our drinking water.
3. Some technological advances are that the government adds fluoride into our drinking water through the water system. There is a filtration system in which the fluoride is added to the water. This is just one technilogical advance for adding fluoride to our drinking water.
4. Some side affects are that your teeth get stained and they eventually become brown. Also, too much fluoride causes brittleness of bone which increases fracture rates. These are a few reasons why I would be cautious about adding fluoride to our drinking water.
No Comments »
Filed under: Flouride
