Tiffany Summerlin, RDH Fluoride has endured a lot of analysis and scrutiny in the public eye over the last 50-plus years it has been utilized, even though it has proven time and time again that it is safe and effective at reducing dental decay across all generations. What we would like to do is present a few common misconceptions that the public has presented about fluoride, with an objective view of the facts.
Myth #1: “Fluoridation causes cancer and other serious health problems.”
The Truth: Leading experts agree: fluoridated water is both safe and effective.
The Facts
Leading health and medical authorities endorse water fluoridation as safe The CDC reports that “panels of experts from different health and scientific fields have provided strong evidence that water fluoridation is safe and effective.”
More than 3,200 studies or reports had been published on the subject of fluoridation. A 2011 Harvard study found no link between fluoride and bone cancer. This study design, which was approved by the National Cancer Institute, reviewed hundreds of bone samples. This is significant because the National Research Council reported that if there were any type of cancer that fluoride might possibly be linked to, it would probably be bone cancer (because fluoride is drawn to bones). The fact that this study found no link to bone cancer strengthens confidence that fluoride is unlikely to cause any form of cancer.
Fluorine, from which fluoride is derived, is the 13th most abundant element and is released into the environment naturally in both water and air. Fluoride is naturally present in all water. Community water fluoridation is the addition of fluoride to adjust the natural fluoride concentration of a community's water supply to the level recommended for optimal dental health, approximately 0.7 ppm (parts per million). 0.7 ppm is the equivalent of 0.7 mg/L, or 0.7 inches in 16 miles. Community water fluoridation is an effective, safe, and inexpensive way to prevent tooth decay. Fluoridation benefits Americans of all ages and socioeconomic status.
Myth #1: “Fluoridation causes cancer and other serious health problems.”
The Truth: Leading experts agree: fluoridated water is both safe and effective.
The Facts
Leading health and medical authorities endorse water fluoridation as safe The CDC reports that “panels of experts from different health and scientific fields have provided strong evidence that water fluoridation is safe and effective.”
More than 3,200 studies or reports had been published on the subject of fluoridation. A 2011 Harvard study found no link between fluoride and bone cancer. This study design, which was approved by the National Cancer Institute, reviewed hundreds of bone samples. This is significant because the National Research Council reported that if there were any type of cancer that fluoride might possibly be linked to, it would probably be bone cancer (because fluoride is drawn to bones). The fact that this study found no link to bone cancer strengthens confidence that fluoride is unlikely to cause any form of cancer.
Fluorine, from which fluoride is derived, is the 13th most abundant element and is released into the environment naturally in both water and air. Fluoride is naturally present in all water. Community water fluoridation is the addition of fluoride to adjust the natural fluoride concentration of a community's water supply to the level recommended for optimal dental health, approximately 0.7 ppm (parts per million). 0.7 ppm is the equivalent of 0.7 mg/L, or 0.7 inches in 16 miles. Community water fluoridation is an effective, safe, and inexpensive way to prevent tooth decay. Fluoridation benefits Americans of all ages and socioeconomic status.
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