Page 6 - April 2023

The Dark Side of a
Dental Miracle
It’s time to reconsider the safety and necessity of water fluoridation, which was
once the greatest discovery of all time but is now a major health concern.
Water fluoridation was once hailed as
a magical solution to prevent cavities
and promote healthy teeth. But now,
as more research emerges, experts are
questioning the risks and benefits of
adding fluoride to our water supply.
Fluoridation rapidly gained popularity
in the early 20th century due to the
discovery of lower cavity rates. But
here’s the catch: the early studies that
supported the use of fluoridated water
didn’t take into account the widespread
use of fluoride products, such as
toothpaste, which may have skewed
the results. Despite the fact that sales of
fluoridated toothpaste increased while
cavity rates dropped, it still remained in
our tap water.
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In fact, a large report showed little
differences in tooth decay between
fluoridated and non-fluoridated
countries. Even in low-income
populations where fluoridation has
existed for decades, tooth decay remains
a persistent problem.
Consuming too much fluoride can result in
severe health issues. Fluoride toxicity, for
example, can cause a range of unpleasant
symptoms like nausea, pain, vomiting, and
muscle paralysis. And if fluoride builds
up in your bones, it can lead to skeletal
fluorosis. This condition mimics symptoms
of other bone disease, including joint pain,
stiffness, and bone fractures. Similarities
like this can make it challenging to
correctly diagnose skeletal fluorosis.