Fluoride In Water - Good Or Bad?

When I was growing up in the late 40's and early 50's fluoride was discovered by the dental industry and began being added to a wide variety of oral products in order to protect our teeth.
Dentists initially did not like fluoride because although it aided in the prevention of tooth decay, it also caused a reduction in cavities which had a negative impact on their business.
But as fluoride became popular, and it was obvious it would remain, dentists embraced and promoted its use.
They found other ways to maintain good business and still promote good oral health and hygiene.
Fast forward into the 60's and early 70's when we saw the widespread use of an antibiotic known as Tetracycline.
Mild but effective it made it possible to treat young children for infections without the negative side effects of more powerful antibiotics.
Yet just a few years later we began to see these same children having discolored teeth.
The common denominator was the use of Tetracycline, which had penetrated the gum tissue, and discolored the forming teeth of the young children.
This prompted the ADA, and other organizations to begin checking the negative effects of other additives and chemicals.
What was found was that children under the age of 2 and especially African-American children were very susceptible to fluorosis - an erosion of the gum tissue and damage of the teeth.
According to Wikipedia: "Dental fluorosis occurs because of the excessive intake of fluoride either through fluoride in the water supply, naturally occurring or added to it; or through other sources.
The damage in tooth development occurs between the ages of 6 months to 5 years, from the overexposure to fluoride.
Teeth are generally composed of hydroxyapatite and carbonated hydroxyapatite; when fluoride is present, fluorapatite is created.
Excessive fluoride can cause yellowing of teeth, white spots, and pitting or mottling of enamel.
Fluorosis cannot occur once the tooth has erupted into the oral cavity.
" And according to a study performed in the mid-90's: "Children examined in 1996 were at higher risk for both questionable and very mild to severe dental fluorosis if they received fluoride from water or daily tablet use, or started brushing before the age of 2 years.
The increase in risk from 1986 to 1995 was greater for African-American children.
" By reading the above, you can see that young infants and children should not have water that has fluoride added to it to prevent excessive ingestion of fluoride and damage to their teeth and gums, especially young African-American children.
Whether by bottled water or more economical water filter kits, water provided to children for drinking, brushing teeth, infant formula, and used in the cooking and processing of foods should be fluoride free to best protect these fragile and developing areas of children.
This article may be reprinted and used by others with permission if the entire article is reproduced or copied including the signature below: