The great fluoride debate

[Langis]

Hello. Long time lurker, first time poster, and not sure if a fluoride topic has been created or discussed yet.

It is becoming increasingly more difficult to separate fact from fiction on either side of the fluoride fence. I find myself starved for real insight on this topic, for what I hope are obvious reasons. Where do you stand? Are there credible reports on the effects--beneficial, ill, or otherwise--of fluoride in drinking water and toothpaste?

[Ashles]

Hello. Long time lurker, first time poster, and not sure if a fluoride topic has been created or discussed yet.

It is becoming increasingly more difficult to separate fact from fiction on either side of the fluoride fence. I find myself starved for real insight on this topic, for what I hope are obvious reasons. Where do you stand? Are there credible reports on the effects--beneficial, ill, or otherwise--of fluoride in drinking water and toothpaste?
You're not from Brighton are you? Our local paper (The Argus) has recently weirdly been inundated with anti-flouride letters. I haven't yet managed to work out what has triggered this.
I'm curious as to what people think on this issue as I can't see what about this has people as rabidly vocal as they are turning out to be.

[Sherman Bay]

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/070202.html

and, from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry:

http://www.aapd.org/publications/brochures/floride.asp

[Michael Redman]

Of course there credible reports as to the beneficial effects of fluoride in drinking water. Do you think billions of dollars are spent putting fluoride in water for no reason?

However, the benefits don't accrue if you don't drink the water: http://www.localnewswatch.com/skyvalley/stories/index.php?action=fullnews&id=104525

[Sherman Bay]

Q & A from the National Cancer Institute (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/fluoridated-water)

From The American Water Works Association (http://www.awwa.org/Advocacy/pressroom/fluoride.cfm)

From The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/HealthInformation/DiseasesAndConditions/Fluoride/)

[Langis]

Thanks for the responses, all. I'm looking for material that will help me draw my own conclusion, and the links really help. :D Thanks again.

Ashles: I'm from Edmonton Alberta, so I can't comment on the anti-fluoride letters that the Argus is getting. There's no big fluoride outcry happening up here; this is more my to satisfy my own desire for credible info.

[fuelair]

Thanks for the responses, all. I'm looking for material that will help me draw my own conclusion, and the links really help. :D Thanks again.

Ashles: I'm from Edmonton Alberta, so I can't comment on the anti-fluoride letters that the Argus is getting. There's no big fluoride outcry happening up here; this is more my to satisfy my own desire for credible info.

Very Short Version: Too little fluoride (most water sources) is bad (you get more cavities). Too much fluoride (certain water sources (natural)) is VERY BAD (you get teeth turning brown followed by other more unpleasant things). Just right fluoride (most water sources with just the right amount of fluoride added for the local water chemistry) is wonderful (cavities lowered dramatically but no ugly brown stains). It is sometimes suggested that growing children (early on) should not get too much fluoride - that part I am less familiar with on detail.

[Gord_in_Toronto]

Thanks for the responses, all. I'm looking for material that will help me draw my own conclusion, and the links really help. :D Thanks again.

Ashles: I'm from Edmonton Alberta, so I can't comment on the anti-fluoride letters that the Argus is getting. There's no big fluoride outcry happening up here; this is more my to satisfy my own desire for credible info.

Canadian, eh? :D

Well in that case you could take a look at http://www.cancer.ca/ccs/internet/standard/0,3182,3172_573785695_1727317996_langId-en,00.html#anchor_5
to see what the Canadian Cancer Society has to say.

[Serenity]

I'll try and stay out of this one. I've seen fluoride debates that never end. I'm not too worried about it, personally. Being aware of the levels in your town's water is what's important so you can modify your diet if necessary. I drink a lot of tea for example. The cheap stuff (brick tea (http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/phytochemicals/tea/)) can have very high levels of fluoride so I tend to avoid it and stick to any teas with young leaves. White tea would probably have the least in this respect. Oh, steeping for less time (3 minutes I believe) helps, too. There's a study on it somewhere that I'm too lazy to look up at the moment.