The debate on water fluoridation has been going on for several decades. Fluoride exists naturally in most, if not all, water supplies, and history has shown that communities with higher amounts of it in their drinking water maintained a population with fewer cavities than those with lower amounts of fluoride. This, along with other studies, led scientists to the belief that fluoride is necessary for good dental health, a conclusion which brought on the addition of what some would consider excessive amounts of fluoride to municipal water supplies. Moreover, proponents of fluoride claim that water fluoridation is the most effective way to obtain the amount needed for healthy teeth and bones. Opponents of water fluoridation cite scientific studies that have linked fluoride to disease, namely dental fluorosis – a health condition caused by a child’s overexposure to fluoride during tooth development – and skeletal fluorosis – a bone disease caused by excessive fluoride consumption. Some also claim that too much fluoride may cause cancer.
The following is a collection of authoritative resources on the water fluoridation controversy. A thorough examination of both sides of the fluoride debate will help readers reach their own, informed conclusions about the necessity and safety of this controversial policy.
The Fluoride Debate: A collection of comments from independent scientists, in response to arguments presented by the American Dental Association’s booklet, Fluoridation Facts.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Community Water Fluoridation: The CDC recognizes water fluoridation as “one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.” This site provides an overview of a variety of topics related to fluoride in drinking water, including benefits, fluoride safety, National statistics, guidelines and recommendations.
Fluoride Information Network: The FIN exists to educate people on the benefits of water fluoridation. This organization maintains that it is not only safe, but is also the most effective way to obtain the fluoride needed for optimal dental health.
Fluoride Action Network: A collection of links related to the health risks associated with water fluoridation. Site includes media coverage of fluoride issues as well as the political history of water fluoridation in the U.S. and beyond.
Water Fluoridation Controversy: A neutral stance on water fluoridation provided by Wikipedia, in article format. Discusses issues related to ethics, safety and efficacy, as well as the history of water fluoridation and conspiracy theories on fluoride in drinking water.
National Cancer Institute – Fluoridated Water, Questions and Answers: A short fact sheet on fluoridated water that addresses the dental benefits; also discusses the history of fluoridated water in the U.S. along with citing several studies that have shown no link between cancer and water fluoridation.
Second Look: A national nonprofit initiative whose goal (as the name implies) is to provide a “second look” at public policies that are controversial and often distorted by the media so as to primarily highlight the apparent benefits while hiding the associated risks from the public. The initiative’s main focus is on water fluoridation, and the site provides a collection of links to position papers and scientific studies that point out the disadvantages of this public policy.
Warning: This Daily Habit is Damaging Your Bones, Brain, Kidneys, and Thyroid: In this video, Dr. Mercola interviews Dr. Paul Connett, head of the Fluoride Action Network, on the dangers of fluoride in public water supplies.
