By Tobi Schwartz-Cassell
Remember that TV commercial from the 60s where the kid—fresh from his visit to the dentist—would come home and exclaim those now-iconic words? The announcer would explain that it was the “Fluoristan, a special fluoride formula” in Crest Toothpaste that did the trick.
Times may have changed, but the debate surrounding children’s need for fluoride and the fluoridation of water has been going on for decades.
On the “pro” side, the American Dental Association states, “Community water fluoridation is the single most effective public health measure to prevent tooth decay.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls community water fluoridation “One of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.”
But how safe is fluoride?
Dr. Stephen Markus, DMD, of the Centre for Dentistry in Haddon Heights, has been studying the issue for several years, and has come to the conclusion that “Putting fluoride in the water to protect our teeth is like putting Coppertone in the water to prevent skin cancer. Both need to be applied directly to have any benefit.”
The question of the best delivery system of fluoride is not necessarily where the debate ends, because it is now known that taking in too much fluoride can do much more harm than good—especially when it comes to children. “If you read the instructions on a tube of toothpaste, it tells you not to swallow it,” says Markus. “That’s because there is enough fluoride in a small sample-sized tube to kill a three year old!”
Among Dr. Markus’ sources is Scientific American, a well-respected journal that has addressed the issue. The article, “Second Thoughts on Fluoride,” sums it up this way: “Some recent studies suggest that overconsumption of fluoride can raise the risks of disorders affecting teeth, bones, the brain and the thyroid gland. A 2006 report by a committee of the National Research Council recommended that the federal government lower its current limit for fluoride in drinking water because of health risks to both children and adults.”
Bill Osmunson DDS, MPH of Lake Oswego, Oregon concurs with Dr. Markus. “As a dentist who promoted water fluoridation for 20 years, wrote many fluoride prescriptions and gave samples and fluoride treatments, I no longer support water fluoridation,” he says. “The FDA regulates systemic (swallowed) fluoride as a prescription drug (requiring a narcotics license) and puts warnings on topical fluoride such as, ‘do not swallow’ and ‘if more than a pea size is swallowed, contact a poison control center.’”
Dentists like Drs. Markus and Osmunson are holistic in their approach to dentistry, which is why they are so concerned about the inclusion of fluoride in drinking water. Dr. Markus blogs about dental fluorosis, which he describes as “An irreversible condition caused by excessive ingestion of fluoride during the tooth forming years. It is the first visible sign that a child has been overexposed to fluoride.”
He also points to a report on the Fluoride Action Network (FAN) website which offers “10 Facts about Fluoride.” Fact #6 is: ‘Ingestion of fluoride has little benefit, but many risks.’ Those risks include:
Risk to the brain: Adverse effects on IQ levels have been found in children who drink fluoridated water.
Risk to the thyroid gland: According to the National Research Council (NRC), fluoride is an “endocrine disrupter,” noting that drinking fluoridated water may reduce thyroid function among those with low-iodine intake, which could lead to loss of mental acuity, depression and weight gain.
Risk to bones: According to the NRC, fluoride can diminish bone strength and increase the risk for bone fracture.
Risk for bone cancer: Animal and human studies – including a recent study from a team of Harvard scientists – have found a connection between fluoride and a serious form of bone cancer in males under the age of 20.
Risk to kidney patients: People with kidney disease have a heightened susceptibility to fluoride toxicity because of impaired ability to excrete it. This can cause, among other things, renal osteodystrophy, a painful bone disease.
The website also states that water fluoridation’s benefits to the teeth have been exaggerated, saying that:
1. No difference exists in the incidence of tooth decay between fluoridated and non-fluoridated countries
2. Cavities do not increase when fluoridation stops
3. Fluoridation does not prevent oral health crises in low-income areas.
The good news, says Dr. Markus, is that, “If you pay your bill to NJ American Water, there is no fluoride in your water.” But if you live or work in Atlantic City or Philadelphia, fluoride is added, so beware. “If that’s the case, you should avoid drinking your tap water, and consider drinking unfluoridated bottled water. And certainly do not mix baby formula with fluoridated water.
“Fluoride is actually a waste product from the manufacturers of fertilizer,” adds Dr. Markus. “And just as alarming, there are no regulations on how much should be added to the water system. So you could have Homer Simpson at the controls, dumping too much fluoride in the water. There have been cases of cities that are told not to drink their water because someone mistakenly put too much fluoride in the supply!”
Having a water filter doesn’t necessarily protect you either. Dr. Markus recommends that you check with the manufacturer of your filter.
The bottom line, says Dr. Markus: “If your dentist merely spackles holes in teeth, you might want to consider someone who takes a more holistic approach and who regards him or herself as a physician of the mouth.”
Learn More about It
Stephen J. Markus, DMD
The Centre for Dentistry
209 White Horse Pike
Haddon Heights, NJ 08035
856-546-0665
www.cent4dent.com
http://blog.cent4dent.com/category/fluoride-toxicity/
Bill Osmunson, DDS, MRH
Aesthetic Dentistry of Lake Oswego
www.lakeoswegocosmeticdentist.com/
The FAN website: www.fluoridealert.org
