Pure and Simple Fluoride Should be a Choice

Pure and simple - fluoride should be a choice here in the United States of America.

Community water fluoridation has been controversial since its very implementation in 1945 (source: Centers for Disease Control). The arguments have been strong for this so called "miracle drug" and all the many benefits it can offer.

And while the CDC, the AMA and the ADA continue to support community-wide fluoridation, the controversy around the globe continues. The risks of over fluoridation is a known concern.

Even the ADA has amended their statement and have detailed that infants should not have fluoride. Children should still be prescribed the correct dosage of fluoride but the dosage for infants has been updated. Does this mean we need further research for the determination of the correct dosage of fluoride for the elderly?

In my prior article, I didn't touch upon fluoritis and was criticized for not including that analysis and rightfully so. I purposefully did not include flouroitis because 1.) it is a chapter onto itself and 2.) I wanted to make my decision about fluoride beyond the existence of fluoritis. In this article I will touch upon some of the clinical research in regards to fluoritis.

Since 2006 when the reports of fluoritis first emerged, the American Dental Association issued essentially an amendment to their statement on community use of fluoride.

Here in the United States, since 2006, there has been a movement of "green". This green movement for eco-friendly combined with frugality is a wonderful social movement. This movement has mandated many Americans to reevaluate their purchases. On a similar note, I believe Americans would want to reevaluate their state and local position statements on the use of fluoride within the community water supply.

Fluoride is a Drug and Drugs Demand Proper Dosages and Oversight

The overriding fact remains as I stated in my first article, which I should have clarified irrespective of the existence of the possibility of fluoritis, fluoride is a drug. As a drug, it demands care and an appropriate dosage for a prescription. When fluoride was discovered, this drug was hailed as a major achievement. And it still is a major achievement and should be administered to children to aid in the protection of their teeth. However, today we have clinical studies that detail the possibility of fluoritis, we have the ADA's very website detailing the dosage is important. In fact the ADA goes as far to say, IF your children swallow fluoride toothpaste, they should not drink tap water with fluoride.

In this article we will explore the clinical studies of fluoritis, we will discuss the medical ethics of including fluoride in the community water supply and we will review the philosophy of American liberties.

Reason #1 Pure

Community water should serve the entire populace and deliver the purest water possible - completely free of as many drugs and contaminants as possible. Chlorine must be added for safety in order to fight the bacteria in the distribution lines.

Interestingly IF your home has copper pipes, copper is a natural antimicrobial to bacteria. Sadly the lead joints and possibly your water service line (the line from the main in front of your home which branches off to bring your individual structure water) are more than likely lead. Lead was a wonderful cost saver for many decades.

For many years, we didn't fully understand that lead was potentially harmful for us.

Additionally, we didn't fully understand until recently that copper is a better antimicrobial even over the stainless steel.

What we need for our community water supply is simply pure, safe water. The chlorine is needed, the fluoride is not. New research shows infants can be harmed by too much fluoride. What about the elderly? Do we have all the answers about fluoride?

Reason #2 Frugal

Frugality is ALL about IF it is not necessary - we don't buy it.

Similarly, our community water supplies need to take on this new social ethic. Just because the cost in minimal doesn't mean we are allowed to waste valuable resources.

IF it is not needed, IF it is being wasted, IF there is even a remote possibility of potential harm, we need to re-evaluate the inclusion of this "drug" in our community water supply.

Reason #3 Freedom

In the United States Bill of Rights, the First Amendment addresses the rights of freedom of religion (prohibiting designating a religion or preferential treatment for any one type of religion), protecting the freedom of speech, press, assembly and petition (requesting a governmental body to make legislative changes).

This philosophy of being free should extend to our right too choose to take vitamins, our right to choose to take supplements - taking fluoride should be an option. An informed choice of vitamins and fluoride is the very best method.

Freedom & the United States Bill of Rights

American Liberties - The United States of America was founded upon our Bill of Rights, a document that outlines the philosophy and mission of our great nation. It is our right not to be subjected to unnecessary drugs in our community water supply.

Point of Use Filters Can Filter Out Fluoride IF You Ask

IF you have a home layered ozonated water system, you can ask for a filter that eliminates fluoride. This is a much needed item for infants and a consideration for youths and adults under the supervision of their physician.

"While more research is needed before definitive recommendations can be made on fluoride intake by bottle-fed infants, the American Dental Association (ADA) issues this interim guidance because we know that parents and other caregivers are understandably cautious about what is best for their children."

ADA Supports Community Water Fluoridation

"The ADA supports community water fluoridation as the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay. It is a powerful strategy to reduce disparities in tooth decay among different populations and is more cost-effective than other forms of fluoride treatments or applications. Fluoridation is endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has listed community water fluoridation as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century."

These two quotes are provided without permission simply for educational purposes. This statement was issued in 2006.

source: American Dental Association

Limit excess fluoride, WHO urges

Source: WaterWeek staff

Use of low-cost solutions to limit worldwide exposure to excess levels of naturally occurring fluoride is urged in a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Asserting that millions of people around the globe drink water with elevated fluoride levels that can cause crippling skeletal fluorosis, the WHO drinking water quality report urges action to address what it calls an "unrecognized and neglected" global health problem.

The report, which details occurrence and health effects data from 28 countries, recognizes that removal technologies can be "difficult and expensive" and urges several low-cost methods that can be used effectively at the local level.

The reports describes the comparative benefits of using crushed clay pots, bone charcoal, contact precipitation, or activated alumina filters, calling in local authorities to "consider the causes of fluorosis carefully and choose the best and most appropriate means of dealing with excess fluoride exposure, taking into account the local conditions and sensitivities."

AWWA Breaking News in Detail

From the Journal of American Dental Association (JADA) Continuing Education: Chakwan Siew, PhD, Sheila Strock, DMD, MPH, Helen Ristic, PhD, Peter Kang, PhD, Hwai-Nan Chou, MS, Jung-Wei Chen, DDS, MS, PhD, Julie Frantsve-Hawley, RDH, PhD and Daniel M. Meyer, DDS

Background. The authors conducted a study to determine concentrations of fluoride in infant formulas, and to estimate fluoride intake in infants consuming predominantly formula. The authors compared estimated fluoride ingestion with the tolerable upper limit and adequate intake level for fluoride recommended by the Institute of Medicine (IOM).

Methods. The authors analyzed fluoride concentrations of powdered and liquid formula concentrates and ready-to-feed formulas.They estimated the total fluoride ingested by infants by considering the fluoride content measured in both the infant formula and various concentrations of fluoridated water. They based consumption volumes on published recommendations. The authors compared estimates for fluoride ingestion with the upper tolerable limit and adequate intake level, which they calculated by using published infant growth charts.

Results. Fluoride concentrations of the different formulas were low and, if reconstituted with low-fluoride water, would not result in ingestion of fluoride at levels exceeding the IOM’s upper tolerable limit. Some infants aged between birth and 6months who consume powdered and liquid concentrate formulas reconstituted with water containing 1.0 part per million fluoride likely will exceed the upper tolerable limit of fluoride.

Conclusions. When powdered or liquid concentrate infant formulas are the primary source of nutrition, some infants are likely to exceed the recommended fluoride upper limit if the formula is reconstituted with water containing 1.0 ppm fluoride. On the other hand, when the fluoride concentration in water used to reconstitute infant formulas is below 0.4 ppm, it is likely that infants between 6 and 12 months of age will be exposed to fluoride at levels below IOM’s recommended adequate intake level.

In summary, fluoride should be treated as what it is - a drug.

United States community water supplies should remain true to their mission of delivering water that is:

1. Pure and safe with no unnecessary chemicals/drugs and
2. Administered in a frugal fashion without unnecessary expenses and
3. Without added drugs in the water.
   

Fluoride should not be automatically added to community water supplies. Fluoride should be administered under a physician's care.

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Copyright: © 2010 Gma Goldie All Rights Reserved - GmaGoldie loves to share her ideas but greatly appreciates credit for her hard work. Please email the author for permission for use of terms and ideas shared in this or other GmaGoldie articles on health, fitness and exercise.

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